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Scarborough lifeboat station celebrates RNLI’s 200th anniversary

Lifeboats News Release

Scarborough RNLI held a bicentennial celebration at the lifeboat station on Monday (4 March 2024) to mark 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) saving lives at sea.

RNLI/Jacob Allen

At the event, crew were presented to the charter Mayor of Scarborough, Cllr John Ritchie, a former crew member himself. Scarborough RNLI lifeboat station was founded in 1801.

The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Fredrick William Plaxton was launched and picked up some of the operational crew.

This was followed by a special presentation of a short film by animated objects which was projected onto the South Bay side of the lifeboat station. Half way through the celebrations the pagers sounded to get the inshore lifeboat ready to launch. Some time later the lifeboat was stood down and the situation was sorted without the team being required to launch.

Once stood down, all the volunteer crew were joined by Deputy Lord lieutenant, Venetia Wrigley who made a toast with Colin Woodhead Scarborough RNLI Chairman, and John Senior Scarborough RNLI President celebrating the RNLI and honouring the King.

Even organiser, Paul Huggins, Scarborough RNLI inshore lifeboat Helm, said: 'As we mark the 200th anniversary we want to commemorate the One

Crew that has been saving lives at sea for two centuries.

'We will also celebrate being part of the world class lifesaving organisation.'

John Huntly, Scarborough RNLI coxswain said: 'The station and its proud history are our duty of care in today's world but its worth remembering that history is shared with every single volunteer that has ever stepped up, whether as a fundraiser, shop volunteer or shore helper (as they used to be known) stretching all the way back.

'I tend to think of it as a relay race without end, and in today's world, it's our turn to carry the baton.

'With the passage of time we too will become memorised as faces on a wall with the baton in the hands of our successors.

'In my humble view this is what makes the RNLI truly great - its people!

'Proud to be part and know you all and count you as my friends, whilst reflecting on Scarborough RNLI's contribution to the 146,000 lives saved by our charity.'

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Nick Gough, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]

RNLI/Nick Gough

RNLI/Nick Gough

RNLI/Jacob Allen

RNLI/Arron Yoeman

Eve Lee and Colin Woodhead on the Stern of Scarborough Lifeboat

RNLI/Nick Gough

Animated Objects display on the South Bay side of the Boat House

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.

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