RNLI partners with The Boat Race for 2022

Since 2002, the RNLI’s Chiswick lifeboat station has supported The Boat Race with its E-class lifeboat. The crew are on hand to keep The Boat Race competitors safe, as well as the thousands of spectators who line the banks of the Thames on race day. In 2016, the RNLI bolstered its lifesaving service with the addition of nine Arancia-class lifeboats crewed by lifeguards. These are strategically positioned along the Championship Course to keep the public safe while the tide is incoming.

The partnership first took place in 2019, with the aim of increasing awareness of the RNLI’s flagship ‘float to live’ drowning prevention campaign. In addition, this year the RNLI’s Community Safety team will be working with venues and schools along the course to provide lifesaving water safety training and encourage familiarity with throwlines. IT also aims to raise funds to support the Thames’ lifesaving service with all proceeds going towards the running costs of the four RNLI stations along the river.

Wayne Bellamy, Station Manager for RNLI Chiswick, said, ‘2022 will be the twentieth year that my crew and I have supported The Boat Race, and kept competitors and spectators safe. This year also happens to be our station’s 20th birthday.

In that time, we have launched over 4,000 times and rescued almost 2,000 people, and on behalf of our 100 volunteer crew, fundraisers, and water safety team, I would like to thank you for your continued support of the RNLI at Chiswick.’

Crews from both sides of the teams are already in the thick of training for The Boat Race on Sunday 3rd April 2022 and after two years without a race along the normal course, are eager to welcome spectators to London once again.

If you would like to support the Boat Race and RNLI Thames crews, you can donate to save lives in London here: RNLI.org/BoatRace2022

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Julie Rainey, South East Regional Media Manager on 07827 358 256 or [email protected], Paul Dunt, South East Regional Media Officer on (07785) 296252 or [email protected] or contact RNLI Press team on 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.