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North Wales RNLI lifeboat relay to celebrate 200th anniversary

Lifeboats News Release

The RNLI in North Wales performed an at-sea relay – passing a specially designed pennant flag from lifeboat to lifeboat along the coast – to mark the charity’s 200 years of saving lives at sea.

Last Sunday, 7 July 2024, marked the end of the pennant relay that nine RNLI lifeboat stations participated in, over three weekends during June and July.

A one-of-a-kind pennant was passed, at sea, between lifeboats from each of the nine stations that protect the coastline of North Wales from Flint in the East to Porthdinllaen in the West.

The nine stations are Flint, Rhyl, Llandudno, Conwy, Beaumaris, Moelfre, Holyhead, Trearddur Bay and Porthdinllaen.

The pennant features a red RNLI ensign with an embroidered RNLI 200 logo and sits on a unique staff, embellished with red, white and blue rope.

On Sunday, all six lifeboat classes found on this stretch of coast met up at its final stop in Moelfre. All-weather lifeboat classes Severn, Tamar and Shannon, and inshore lifeboats the D-Class, Atlantic 85 and Y-boat, which is a small inflatable ‘daughter boat’ stowed on some all-weather lifeboats, were in attendance.

Following the relay, the pennant will now go on permanent display at the Moelfre RNLI Seawatch Centre on Anglesey.

Chris Gaskin, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager said:

‘The relay was a great way to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year and to celebrate the volunteers that protect the coast of Wales.

‘Involving all of our lifeboat stations along the north coast of Wales ensured all the lifesavers that give up their time to save lives at sea stay connected and act as one crew.

‘I’m sure these communities will be able to look back fondly on the event in years to come.’

Notes to editors:

· A downloadable collection of images from the final leg of the relay on Sunday can be found here:

Media Contacts

For more information, please contact Anya Walton Media Engagement Placement at [email protected] or call 07977468268. Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office at [email protected] or call 01202336789.


RNLI/Will Aron

Vicki Owens, Holyhead RNLI

RNLI/Will Aron

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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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.

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