RNLI mourn the passing of honorary President Lord Zetland
The volunteers at Redcar RNLI lifeboat station were saddened by the news that honorary president, Lawrence Mark Dundas, 4th Marquess of Zetland, passed away on 24 January 2026 at the age of 88.
Dave Cocks, Chairman of Redcar RNLI said: ‘The name Zetland has been synonymous with the lifeboats at Redcar for over 200 years.
‘When the first lifeboat arrived in 1802 it didn’t bear a name but it was later christened Zetland in recognition of the financial support given to the lifeboat station by Lawrence Dundas, the first Earl of Zetland.’
Dave Cocks continued: ‘Although he was formally known as Lord Zetland, he always insisted we called him Mark round the lifeboat station. He always showed great interest in what we were doing.
'We send our sincere condolences to his wife Susan and their four children.'
Notes to Editors
Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Andy Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer, Redcar RNLI on 07954 435834 or 01642 484491 or email [email protected]
Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North and East) 07824 518641.
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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