On 4 March 2024 the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) formally celebrated 200 years of life-saving with a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. The RNLI has always relied on voluntary contributions and on volunteers to crew the lifeboats and inshore lifeboats, and the service in March was a reflection of the voluntary ethos that has served the organisation ever since 1824.
Over the two centuries the volunteers have carried out thousands of rescues, while the design of lifeboats has changed out of all recognition, as naval architects have worked to produce boats which can cope with the worst of weathers, heading out when others seek shelter, while also keeping their crews safe.
Today, the RNLI operates a fleet of both all-weather self-righting state-of-the-art lifeboats and fast inshore lifeboats, which answer thousands of calls each year. A recent innovation, started in 2001, has seen the RNLI become involved in beach rescues and lifeguard operations during the summer, while hovercraft were introduced in 2002, for rescue work on mud and sand banks.
Prevention has also become a major aspect of the RNLI’s 21st century role, with water safety advice and educating people about the dangers of the water is now
