RNLI affirms commitment to saving lives at sea on the Isle of Man
RNLI Operations Director John Payne has met with representatives from the Isle of Man Government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The document lays out each organisation’s responsibilities for search and rescue operations on the island.
Mr Payne visited Douglas Lifeboat Station on Wednesday and joined the volunteer crew on an exercise at sea. He then went on to visit Port St Mary and Peel RNLI Lifeboat Stations. Following this, he visited the Sea Terminal where the MOU was signed.
Director of Harbours Mark Kenyon (MBE) signed the document on behalf of the Isle of Man Harbours and Coastguard. He was joined by two Coastguard managers.
The Isle of Man Coastguard and the RNLI have worked together throughout both their histories towards a common purpose of saving lives. This Memorandum of Understanding formalises that process in a way that can demonstrate their commitment to joint working and building on what is a very positive relationship.
HM Coastguard has responsibility for tasking and coordination of operations and the RNLI provide substantial resources towards saving lives at sea with lifeboats and volunteer crew.
Regular communication and joint training are key to the successful relationship and with the signing of this MOU, it is hoped that that relationship will be strengthened further and together the organisations can work to reduce loss of life.
John Payne, Director of Lifesaving Operations for the RNLI said:
‘The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea and our close co-operation on the island with the Isle of Man Coastguard helps to make this possible. The RNLI has a long and proud history on the island, with Douglas being the birth-place of the RNLI, so it’s fitting that this document was signed here. We are pleased to officially recognise this relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding between us.’
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.