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Penarth RNLI Station celebrate 200 years of the RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Penarth RNLI lifeboat is planning to haul the boats through Penarth Town Centre to commemorate, celebrate and inspire.

Horses pulling the lifeboat Joseph Denham from Penarth Dock along shingle beach to Penarth

RNLI/Penarth

Horses Hauling the Joseph Denman circa 1881

On Monday 4th March 1824 the RNLI was founded by Sir William Hillary. Since the RNLI was established in 1824, our lifeboats have launched tirelessly and our crews saved over 143,500 lives.

The Penarth volunteer crew will be visiting two local schools with the D-Class boat in the morning. At 2.45pm, in a nod to a time when the lifeboats were hauled by horses, the Penarth crew will haul the both the D-Class and Atlantic 85 B- Class boat through the town centre in tribute to the volunteers of the past years.

In the evening there will be a celebration at Penarth Pier with long service awards being presented, an auction of sought after RNLI memorabilia, and some suitable words to inspire future supporters.

We are remembering our remarkable lifesaving history.

We are celebrating the remarkable and unique organisation that is the RNLI – an emergency service funded by charitable donations.

We are looking forward to welcoming the lifesavers and supporters of the future, who will help the charity achieve its mission to save every one.

We welcome the businesses and residents of the area to come and support us in our celebration.

Joseph Denman circa 1881 and crew wearing cork life jackets

RNLI/Nick White

Joseph Denman circa 1881
Action shot of Penarth Atlantic B-839 with 4 crew breaking over a wave

RNLI/Nick White

B839 in action

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.