
Tower RNLI reaches 11,000th shout on River Thames!
On Wednesday 23 October 2024 Tower RNLI, located on the Thames in the heart of central London, launched on service officially marking the lifeboat stations 11,000th shout in just 22 years.
At 2:28am on Wednesday 23 October 2024, three lifeboat crew from Tower RNLI responded to reports of a casualty near the Golden Jubilee footbridge and launched on service.
Thankfully once on scene the casualty had managed to self-rescue and needed no further assistance. With the casualty safe and well, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.
This milestone rescue marks the lifeboat stations 11,000th shout since it was established on 2 January 2002. The station is one of only four RNLI lifeboat stations that is crewed around the clock on every day of the year. The station’s dedicated volunteers and staff ensure a safety presence from Barking Creek to Albert Bridge on the River Thames.
Equipped with the fastest lifeboats in the RNLI's fleet, Tower RNLI's crew aims to launch within 90 seconds of an emergency call being received from the Coastguard. Currently the station has an E-class lifeboat E-07 Hurley Burly, which has been with the station since 2011.
Kevin Maynard, Thames Commander and helm for this milestone launch said: ‘I was part of the team that helped set up the original station before it opened in January 2002. I would never have believed then that I would still be on the crew to launch the boat to the 11,000th service call! It would not have been possible without the amazing fundraisers and supporters whose donations enable us to get the lifeboats out on the water.’
Accompanying Kevin on this shout was Simon Brassington, Tower RNLI’s newest Thames Commander, and volunteer crew member Al Kassim.
Al said: ‘It feels incredibly special to be part of such a significant milestone for Tower. It did make me reflect on what a big difference this station, and the rest of the stations on the Thames, have made to London in such a short period of time.
I am very proud to be part of a crew that continues to make such a positive impact on this amazing city’.
Simon added: ‘It was a privilege to be involved in the 11,000th call out and to continue the amazing work of Tower RNLI since its inception in 2002.’
Tower Lifeboat Station was originally located on Tower Pier, later being relocated to Victoria Embankment in 2006 where its newest station resides today.
Over 22 years since its formation, Tower RNLI have saved 507 lives during its 11,000 shouts and is the first station to reach this milestone. This year Tower lifeboat has responded to 613 and saved 22 lives. The station’s volunteers and staff are as dedicated as ever to save as many lives as possible.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please email Izzy Coley, RNLI Media Engagement Placement – South East Region on [email protected] or telephone RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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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