RNLI joins France in tribute to remember three lifeboat crew members lost at sea

At 10.30am this morning (Thursday 13 June), RNLI volunteers and staff across the UK and Ireland joined the French community in remembering the three French rescue crew members who tragically lost their lives last Friday 7 June.

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, attended a gathering at Les Sables - d’Olonne where the lives of the three crew members were lost. The minute’s silence represents a national tribute, which followed the maritime community sounding its foghorns around the French coast.

RNLI lifeboat stations, support centres and sites joined the French community in remembering these brave crew members. RNLI lifeboat stations lowered their flags to half-mast as a mark of respect. At the RNLI Support Centre in Poole, staff members observed the silence on the pontoon at RNLI College at the flagpole. Community Lifesaving Director, John Payne, led the silence.

The RNLI’s Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, led the minute’s silence at Tynemouth Lifeboat Station. He says:

‘The news of this tragedy has been a shock to all of us in the lifesaving family, and is a reminder of just how dangerous the sea can be. To recognise this, and to mark the crew’s bravery, we are joining the French public today in a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of saving lives at sea. Our thoughts and condolences continue to be with all of those involved and we stand shoulder to shoulder with our French lifesaving colleagues.’ ​

The crew members were part of the rescue organisation, Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM). They were onboard a rescue boat that went to the aid of a fishing vessel which had got into difficulty during Storm Miguel. The boat was overturned due to severe weather conditions, which saw winds of up to 80 miles per hour.

The RNLI has 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland and since 1824 has saved 142,700 lives. RNLI lifeguards patrol over 240 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands each summer.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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