Our timeline
Since 1824 we’ve pioneered developments in lifesaving at sea. And our lifesavers have shown unfailing courage and selflessness. Delve into the history of the RNLI through our timeline and discover key events and innovations in our lifesaving history.
1785
The first lifeboats
Lionel Lukin paved the way for the first purpose-built lifeboat when he designed the world’s first unsinkable boat and patented it in 1785.
1824
Our foundation
Sir William Hillary’s vision for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea became a reality in Bishopsgate’s trendy London Tavern on 4 March 1824.
1824
First RNLI Gold Medal
In 1824, Charles Fremantle was awarded the first RNLI Gold Medal for bravery when he swam out to a Swedish brig stranded off the coast of Christchurch.
1838
Grace Darling
Grace Darling became a national heroine after risking her life to save the stranded survivors of the wrecked steamship Forfarshire in 1838.
1854
First lifejackets
RNLI Inspector, Captain Ward, broke new ground in lifesaving in 1854 with his new design of cork lifejacket.
1861
Whitby lifeboat disaster
During a huge storm on 9 February 1861, a Whitby lifeboat capsized, throwing the crew overboard. Only one member of the crew, Henry Freeman, survived.
1880
The Zetland’s final launch
Built in 1802, the Zetland is the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world and saved over 500 lives during her service.
1884
Design of the RNLI flag
In 1884, Leonora Preston designed the RNLI flag after her brother was rescued by Ramsgate lifeboat volunteers.
1886
Southport and St Annes lifeboats disaster
On 10 December 1886, 27 lifeboatmen lost their lives whilst attempting to rescue the crew from the German barque Mexico.
1890
First steam-driven lifeboat
Between them, the RNLI’s three hydraulic steam-driven lifeboats were in service for over 40 years and saved 570 lives.
1891
First street collection
After the Mexico disaster and the loss of 27 lifeboatmen, a small team organised an event in Manchester that changed the face of fundraising forever.
1899
Launch from Porlock Weir
During a severe gale, Lynmouth volunteers dragged their lifeboat for 13 miles to launch in aid of a vessel in distress.
1905
First motor lifeboat
The evolution from sail to petrol, and later petrol to diesel, revolutionised the RNLI’s lifesaving capacity.
1907
The Suevic rescue
The Suevic rescue in 1907 set the record for the largest number of people saved in a single operation in RNLI history – a record that still stands today.
1914-1918
The Great War
During the First World War (1914–1918), lifeboats launched 1,808 times and saved 5,332 lives.
1917
First RNLI Bronze Medals
Introduced in 1917, the first RNLI Bronze Medals for Gallantry were created for Cromer lifeboat crew members who rescued 33 people in a 14-hour shout.
1922
Foundation of the Irish Free State
When the Irish Free State was established in 1922, RNLI volunteers at lifeboat stations all around the island continued to save lives at sea.
1930
First fast motor-powered lifeboat
The first fast motor lifeboat to arrive at the newly reopened Dover Lifeboat Station in 1930 was one of a kind.
1936
Last horse-powered launch
The arrival of the motor lifeboat Royal Silver Jubilee at Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk marked the end of the iconic sight of horses pulling lifeboats.
1936
Daunt Rock rescue
On 7 February 1936, Ballycotton lifeboat volunteers endured 49 hours at sea in a gale and bitter cold to save the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship.
1939-1945
Second World War
Despite having to contend with extremely dangerous conditions, RNLI lifeboat crews saved 6,376 lives between 1939 and 1945.
1940
Dunkirk little ships
On 30 May 1940, two RNLI crews joined an armada of little ships for one of the Second World War’s greatest rescues: Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk.
1947
Henry Blogg retires
In 1947, at the age of 71, RNLI legend Henry Blogg drew 53 years of service as a lifeboat crew member to a close.
1963
Inflatable lifeboats
Inflatable lifeboats were introduced to our fleet to help crews reach areas close to shore, cliffs and caves and remain the workhorse of the RNLI today.
1969
First official female crew member
Elizabeth Hostvedt, an 18-year-old Norwegian student, became the first official female crew member at the RNLI.
1972
Rigid inflatable lifeboats
Research in the 1960s produced the RNLI’s first rigid inflatable lifeboat, the B class Atlantic 21, allowing more agile rescues closer to shore.
1979
Bronze, Silver and Gold
Former Humber Coxswain, Brian Bevan MBE, is the only crew member to receive Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals for Gallantry at the same awards ceremony.
1981
Penlee lifeboat disaster
On 19 December 1981, the crew of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne were lost attempting to rescue the crew and passengers onboard a stricken coaster.
1982
The Tyne class lifeboat
Twice as fast as the motor lifeboats she was designed to replace, the first fast slipway boat – the Tyne class lifeboat – launched in 1982.
1988
The Mersey class lifeboat
The Mersey class lifeboat – the RNLI’s first fast carriage lifeboat - is a lightweight sea-going boat designed for launching from the beach.
1994
The Trent class lifeboat
Built to provide the quickest possible response service, the new 25-knot Trent class lifeboat proved a swift and enduring addition to the RNLI fleet.
1995
The Safety at Sea initiative
In 1995, sea safety bodies and marine industries joined forces with the RNLI to ensure prevention messages reached those most in danger at sea.
1996
The Severn class lifeboat
In the late 1980s, the RNLI realised that its fleet needed upgrading in order to save more lives saved at sea. Enter the 25-knot Severn class lifeboat.
2000
Formation of the RNLI Flood Rescue Team
After helping in the Mozambique floods of 2000, the RNLI formed its own Flood Rescue Team to respond to emergencies in the UK, Ireland and beyond.
2001
First inland lifeboat station
Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, is home to the RNLI’s first non-tidal inshore lifeboat station.
2001
RNLI lifeguards
RNLI lifeguards starting patrolling beaches in 2001 and are now an essential part of our seamless rescue service from the beach to the open sea.
2002
Lifeboats on the Thames
RNLI lifeboats have been operating on the River Thames since 2 January 2002 from our lifeboat stations at Chiswick, Gravesend, Teddington and Tower.
2002
Hovercraft joins the RNLI fleet
Introduced in 2002, the RNLI inshore rescue hovercraft has enabled us to carry out our vital rescue work in areas inaccessible to conventional lifeboats.
2003
First gallantry medal for lifeguarding
In May 2003, Rod MacDonald became the first RNLI lifeguard to receive an RNLI Medal for Gallantry.
2004
RNLI College opens
RNLI College is the home of RNLI training and was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 28 July 2004, when it was known as the Lifeboat College.
2005
First lifeboatwoman awarded gallantry medal
In 2005, Aileen Jones became the first female lifeboat crew member to receive an RNLI Medal of Gallantry.
2005
The Tamar class lifeboat
Our new Tamar class lifeboat was designed with speed and crew safety in mind.
2009
RNLI Memorial Sculpture
The RNLI Memorial sculpture brings together the names of each and every RNLI crew member who sacrificed their life to save the lives of others.
2012
RNLI international programme starts
In 2012, the RNLI stepped up its international work to help tackle the worldwide drowning epidemic, partnering with global leaders and public health organisations to support communities most at risk of drowning.
2013
Flood Rescue Team receives first gallantry medals
After a brave rescue in treacherous conditions, the Flood Rescue Team were awarded their first medals for gallantry.
2013
The Shannon class lifeboat
In-house manufacture of the Shannon class lifeboat brings a new era of lifesaving to the RNLI.
2015
The All-weather Lifeboat Centre opens
Our All-weather Lifeboat Centre brings the construction, repair and maintenance of our all-weather lifeboats under one roof for the first time in RNLI history.
2021
United Nations adopts Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention
In 2021, the United Nations (UN) adopted the first-ever Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention, setting out the actions that every country should take to prevent drowning. The Resolution also called for a coordinated UN approach to drowning prevention and established World Drowning Prevention Day, which is marked annually on 25 July.
2024
200 years and counting
A historic milestone in our lifesaving story, 4 March 2024 marks 200 years since Sir William Hillary founded the RNLI.
