Tynemouth RNLI crew take part in National Service for Seafarers at St Pauls

The ANSS has been held annually since 1905. Organised by The Seafarers’ Charity and The Corporation of Trinity House, it aims to recognise, celebrate, and express thanks for the seafaring community. The service is dedicated to seafarers from various maritime professions, including the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy, fishing fleets, workboats, cruise liners, commercial shipping, yachts and ferries, as well as maritime welfare charities, nautical schools, maritime youth groups and veterans’ associations.

The RNLI marked its 200th anniversary on 4 March 2024, so this year’s ANSS recognised the 200 years of courage and dedication of the RNLI’s lifesavers, and their vital contribution to the safety of those at sea. Since the RNLI was founded by Sir William Hillary in 1824, the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

A number of RNLI representatives were involved in the service at St Paul’s. Several RNLI volunteers were in the Colour Party, forming part of the procession. They were: Eamon Fanning MBE from Gravesend lifeboat station; Alexandra Cook from Chiswick lifeboat station; Graham Jaggers and Miranda Jaggers from Teddington lifeboat station, and Paul King from Tynemouth lifeboat station.

The Venerable Robert Townsend, Archdeacon of Meirionnydd, is an RNLI volunteer and gave the sermon during the service. Other RNLI speakers in the service included Katarina Harrison-Gaze, an inshore lifeboat crew member at Staithes and Runswick; Emily Burgess, an RNLI face-to-face fundraiser, and Ian Smith, the station manager at Gravesend RNLI lifeboat station. Around 200 RNLI representatives were present in the congregation, including Peter Sparkes, the RNLI’s Chief executive, and Fiona Fell, the RNLI’s Deputy Chair.

Paul King, an all weather lifeboat crew member said:

‘I was honoured to represent Tynemouth at the service, for the celebration of 200 years of the RNLI.

'When I arrived for rehearsal a few hours before, I was told I would be a flag bearer and would be one of the first down the aisle.
'I was very thankful to the other crew from the Thames stations for their support. We had only met for minutes beforehand but the “OneCrew” feeling was very clear. I kept thinking, “What an honour to be doing this!”

To hear the Royal Marines band play Jupiter from the planet suite, which has a deep sentimental meaning for me, is a feeling I’ll never forget.’

Founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history, including tragic disasters, funding challenges and two World Wars.

Today, the RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.

Media contacts
For further information contact James Waters on 07791886324 / [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [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.

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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.