RNLI celebrates 200 years and milestone birthdays for stations in north Wales

On the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI is revealing its volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards in north Wales have saved an incredible 6,917 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving.

Since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews in north Wales have launched the lifeboats 21,949 times, saving 6,905 lives, while its lifeguards – who became part of the RNLI’s lifesaving service in 2001 – have responded to 1,474 incidents, saving 12 lives*. In total across the UK and Ireland, 146,452 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

Since 1824, RNLI crews at Flint station in Flintshire have launched 781 times and saved 102 lives. At Rhyl in Denbighshire, the lifeboats have launched 2,633 times and saved 469 lives. Volunteers at the two stations in Conwy County have launched 2,940 times and saved 265 lives. Anglesey's four stations have launched 8,863 times and saved 3,654 lives. In Gwynedd, the six stations have launched 6,912 times and saved 1,915 lives.

As well as the charity celebrating its 200th anniversary, this year, Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station is celebrating its 160th birthday. Criccieth is marking 170 years of saving lives

with the lifeboat having launched 1,178 times, saving 277 lives since the station opened.

Since its founding in 1864, Porthdinllaen lifeboat has launched 941 times and the volunteer crew have saved 391 lives. To celebrate its 160th anniversary, a collection of historical images has been gathered to depict how the station has changed over the years.

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.

RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, says:

‘It has been an honour and a privilege to be at the helm of the RNLI for the past five years, and to see the charity reach its bicentenary. For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable. It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two World Wars and, more recently, a global pandemic.

‘Today, we mark the bicentenary of the RNLI. We remember the achievements and commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries; we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, based on our 200 years of learning, expertise and innovation, and we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond.

‘I am immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity – our volunteers, supporters and staff. This is our watch and it is our role to keep our charity safe and secure so it can continue to save lives into the future, as we strive in our vision to save every one.’

Jo Partner, RNLI Head of Region for Wales says:

‘I am immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity across Wales – our volunteers, supporters and staff. Today is a hugely significant day in our history and an occasion we should all be very proud of. I know there are lots of events being planned across Wales to mark this very special day and I hope people enjoy being part of this special piece of history.

‘I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those who play a part in making the RNLI the proud organisation is it today – which really is a cause for celebration.’

RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, Hayley Whiting, says:

‘The RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary, witnessed the treacherous nature of the sea first-hand when living on the Isle of Man and he wanted to take action. His first appeal to the nation in 1823 did not have the desired result but, thankfully, he persevered and gained the support of several philanthropic members of society, who put their names to the charity at a meeting in the City of London Tavern on 4 March 1824.

‘Twelve resolutions were passed at that meeting, the core of which still stand as part of the RNLI’s Charter 200 years later. This shows how the RNLI’s values and purpose have remained unwavering for 200 years, despite the social and economic changes and challenges of the past two centuries.

‘Hillary’s vision was ambitious and forward-thinking, and no doubt he would be extremely proud to see the charity he founded still going strong today, and to see how much it has achieved.’