Extending the Family: Scania UK and the RNLI join forces to become partners

Scania UK has extended its ‘Scania Family’ by partnering with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to help the charity continue saving lives at sea.

The announcement comes on the day the volunteer-led organisation commemoratesits 200^th anniversary, and in the same year Scania UK acknowledges its 60^th birthday too.

The agreement will see both organisations become strategic partners with the goal of working together to help the RNLI save every one.

Considered the fourth Emergency Service, the RNLI aims to save every life at sea, and do so through their search and rescue service, focusing on water safety and drowning prevention. Across the UK, they operate 449 lifeboats from 238 stations and provide a seasonal lifeguard service on around 240 beaches.

Chris Newitt, Managing Director for Scania UK, said: “We recognise the importance of the RNLI’s work keeping people safe at sea, which is why it’s a privilege to partner with such an organisation.

'To celebrate your bicentenary is some achievement, and at Scania, we can play our part in helping the RNLI save lives for another 200 years, through fundraising and continued support.

'Our shared values and ability to bring people together is what makes this such a great partnership.'

Jamie Chestnutt, RNLI Director for Engineering and Supply, said: ‘Scania and the RNLI’s longstanding supplier relationship is a testament to the partnership we have built today. This multi-year partnership sees Scania not only continue to provide the Shannon class lifeboats with the engines we require to operate around the coasts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland but also raise funds to support the organisation's vital work, as we look to build out our lifesaving capacity for another 200 years. We’re delighted to extend the scope of our relationship and look forward to furthering operational efficiencies and understanding sustainable powertrain development while championing the work we both do on and off the water, and our commitment to saving lives at sea.’

The three-year partnership will see Scania UK support the charity’s ongoing operations through fundraising activities across its UK business. And builds on existing support for the RNLI’s vehicles, which use Scania Power Solutions engines.

These include both the RNLI’s Shannon Class all-weather lifeboat and the Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS).

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.