Dungeness RNLI celebrate 200th year with Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence visit
On Tuesday 5 May, the volunteers of Dungeness RNLI were visited by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence to mark the 200th anniversary of the station.
Sir Tim Laurence, a Vice President of the RNLI, has a longstanding relationship with the station, having spent a lot of time in Dungeness as a child. His last visit to the station was in 2014 alongside Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for the naming ceremony of the first Shannon class lifeboat to go on service at a lifeboat station, 13-02 The Morrell.
Twelve years on, Sir Tim Laurence spent the afternoon talking to volunteers from all aspects of the station, from boat crew and shore crew through to the fundraising and shop teams.
The afternoon’s highlight was Sir Tim Laurence presenting the station with their official RNLI 200th anniversary certificate. Since 1826, Dungeness lifeboat crews have launched on service 1,473 times and saved 473 lives.
Station Coxswain Jon Morgan accepted the certificate on behalf of the station and says:
‘It was a privilege to accept this important certificate recognising the long-standing history of our station serving the Romney Marsh community since 1826. Our station has an extensive history, saving many lives during this time and we hope to continue to save lives at sea for many more years to come.’
If you are interested in volunteering at Dungeness RNLI, we have a number of opportunities available, no maritime experience needed. Contact [email protected] or 01797 320317 for more information.
Notes to Editors
· Dungeness lifeboat station has been running since 1826.
· The station received the first Shannon class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet – The Morrell
· The station is famous for its Lady Launchers, local women and wives of the crew who helped launch the lifeboat until 1977.
Ends
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RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Beck, Dungeness Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07956 615429
Jess Curtis, Regional Media Officer on 07724 801305 or [email protected]
Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 or [email protected].
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
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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