Margate lifeboat station commemorates RNLI’s 200th anniversary

Founded in 1824, the RNLI is commemorating its remarkable history and achievements along with the commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries and on the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI is revealing its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 146,277 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving.

An RNLI lifeboat station was established in Margate in 1860 since when the all-weather and inshore lifeboats have launched 3,368 times and saved 1,495 lives (up to 31 December 2023) with ten offshore (later re-named all-weather) lifeboats having served the station. The boats were originally on a carriage hauled by horses before Margate became a slipway launched lifeboat station in 1898 and becoming a a tractor and carriage station in 1978. Currently the station operates the Atlantic 85 B class inshore lifeboat Colonel Stock and D class inshore lifeboat Alfred Alexander Staden.

In 1897 Margate experienced tragedy when the town’s surf boat Friend To All Nations, which operated alongside the RNLI lifeboat, capsized while on a rescue with the loss of nine of the crew, only four surviving. The same crewmembers often manned both the surf boat and lifeboat.

World War Two was a notable period in the station’s history when the lifeboat rescued downed British, allied and German aircrew along with the crews of ships that fell victim to mines. In 1940 the lifeboat, manned by the station’s own crew, took part in the evacuation of British and allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk. The coxswain, along with the coxswain of Ramsgate lifeboat which also took part in the evacuation were awarded Distinguished Service Medals for their contribution.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries. The volunteering ethos is at the heart of our work and we are looking forward to welcoming the lifesavers and supporters of the future into the RNLI family.

Derek Amas, Lifeboat Operations Manager, RNLI Margate said: “Two hundred years is an amazing achievement for the RNLI, but everything that has been achieved in that time has only been possible thanks to ordinary people doing extraordinary things be it the boats’ crews, fundraisers, or our shore crew. I am very proud to lead the team who operate and maintain our two inshore lifeboats along with the launch and recovery equipment here at Margate. For us, the current team, we are carrying the baton for the future crews, fundraisers and supporters while paying tribute to the work and accomplishments of those who have gone before us.”

ENDS

More information about activities around the RNLI’s 200^th anniversary can be found here Be part of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]

· Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager on 07724 801305 or [email protected]RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.