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RNLI 200th anniversary celebrations at Seahouses lifeboat station

RNLI 200th anniversary celebrations at Seahouses lifeboat station

Lifeboats News Release

Monday 4 March 2024

At 12pm on 4 March 1824, exactly 200 years ago, a document was signed to create the RNLI, an organisation to save lives from shipwrecks.

L to R rear row, Full Time Cox/Mech Craig Pringle, Volunteer Cox/Mech Neil Calvert, Retired Crew Archbold Dawson, Full Time Mech/Cox Graeme Trotter, with six year olds Jayden Elliot and Arbold’s great grandson Carter — L to R rear row, Full Time Cox/Mech Craig Pringle, Volunteer Cox/Mech Neil Calvert, Retired Crew Archbold Dawson, Full Time Mech/Cox Graeme Trotter, with six year olds Jayden Elliot and Archbold’s great grandson Carter

That organisation has evolved into today’s RNLI, serving the UK and Republic of Ireland, providing volunteer crews to save lives at sea, and to save as many as it can. Stations around the coasts have been celebrating this momentous date.

At Seahouses lifeboat station, one of the oldest surviving ex-crew members, Tractor Driver, Archbold Dawson was invited to raise the 200 Flag beside the station ensign, accompanied by his son in law, volunteer Coxswain/Mechanic Neil Calvert, and great grandson Carter with friend Jayden Elliot for company, both aged six.

Archbold’s daughter Susan is currently the Station Fundraising Treasurer, and also a former tractor driver for the new Shannon lifeboat at Seahouses.

Canon Tony Macpherson of St Pauls’ Church, North Sunderland, conducted a service at the boathouse, attended by a sizeable crowd of onlookers and supporters. Archbold Dawson raised the 200 Flag, with children from Seahouses First School also in attendance. Good weather made the day.

Meanwhile, station volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Ian Clayton, himself a former crew member, Operations Manager and now Management Group Chair and Launch Authority, attended Westminster Abbey, to represent the station.

He commented: 'The event at Westminster was really and truly awe inspiring, and a tremendous privilege to attend and to meet so many other RNLI volunteers. In my thirtieth year as a volunteer at Seahouses, it was particularly poignant for me being present at such a fantastic historical ceremony.'

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Ian Clayton, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]

Retired Crew Archbold Dawson, with Vol Cox/Mech Neil Calvert, Full Time Cox Mech Craig Pringle and Mech/Cox Graeme Trotter

The Seahouses Crew and First School outside of the Boathouses

Canon Tont Macpherson conducting the service with crew Susan Calvert, Iain Saunders, Lynsey Carr and Operations Manager Julie Harris to his left. — Canon Tony Macpherson conducting the service with crew Susan Calvert, Iain Saunders, Lynsey Carr and Operations Manager Julie Harris to his left.

Crowds gather for the ceremony outside of Seahouses Lifeboat Station

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.

Ian Clayton

Lifeboat Press Officer, Seahouses Lifeboat Station

RNLI 200th anniversary celebrations at Seahouses lifeboat station

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