Landmark RNLI Henley Royal Regatta Rowpast in Historic Lifeboat
On Sunday July 7th at around 12.30 pm, RNLI rowers from all five RNLI represented countries will take part in a rowpast in a historic lifeboat at Henley Royal Regatta to celebrate the life-saving charity’s 200-year anniversary.
Six volunteer lifeboat crew from Teddington, Hunstanton, New Quay, Galway, Larne and Kyle of Lochalsh will row the William Riley along a section of the historic Henley course to the finish line. Also on board will be volunteers from the Whitby Historic Lifeboat Trust which owns and maintains the William Riley.
The former Whitby Lifeboat was built in 1909 in London and famously took part in one of the most famous RNLI rescues, the Rohilla, in 1914. It was in service to the RNLI until 1931 and was discovered derelict in 2005 in Devon and restored by the Whitby Historic Lifeboat Trust. It is rarely seen outside its home in Whitby.
Tom Lee, RNLI Teddington volunteer crew member said, ‘I am enormously proud to be representing my RNLI region by rowing a historic lifeboat with fellow RNLI crew on a historic world-renowned course. This RNLI rowpast at the Henley Royal Regatta is made even more special on the charity’s 200th anniversary.’
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Notes to editors
- 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 142,700 lives.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Gianna Saccomani, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07798905515 or [email protected] or Grace Palmieri, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07855487508 or [email protected]
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, Twitter 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.