Maritime Search & Rescue: 200 Years of the RNLI

The Nautical Institute's North West England and North Wales Branch is delighted to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI this year – a remarkable milestone for one of our most important and treasured national maritime institutions!

As part of the day, they have kindly been offered a tour of RNLI Fleetwood to learn more about the heroic work its volunteer lifeboat crews perform on a daily basis. Established by Sir William Hillary in 1824 as the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (under the patronage of George IV), its main aim was to improve the survival rates for ships wrecked off British coasts – a shockingly frequent occurrence at that time – by standardising and making available fast response lifeboat services.

Today, it continues to support HM Coastguard in the rescue and retrieval of wrecked or stranded individuals, those in danger from shifting sands, and those falling foul of tides and currents while swimming, boarding, paddling or mudlarking. Indeed, much of its work now takes place closer to the shore than ever before… Relying largely on charitable donations, it is, however, currently facing a slowdown in the recruitment and training of new volunteers – so if you or someone you know would like to become involved, please get in touch with your local station.

Please contact the branch on ninw.branch@nautinst.org to register.

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