Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Station celebrates volunteer service
On Monday 4 March 2024 the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers, like those at Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Station, giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations.
During a week of celebrations, Portpatrick RNLI hosted an evening reception for volunteers past and present and a crew dinner and awards night.
Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Station was founded in 1877 and in that time its crews have launched the lifeboats 777 times and saved 306 lives. The bicentenary celebrations provided a great opportunity to get volunteers together to thank them for their commitment.
On the evening of Monday 4 March more than 70 volunteers past and present from Portpatrick and flanking station Stranraer, met at the village community hub to enjoy drinks and a celebration cake. On Saturday 9 March, volunteer crew, fundraisers and their partners hosted an award dinner to celebrate the service of former crew and volunteers.
Ian Beck, Chairman, Portpatrick Lifeboat presented RNLI Service Awards to Billy McEwan, Ian Marshall, Gareth Cole, Steve Stringer and Allan Burgess.
An award was also presented to Ian and Leah Moffat in recognition of their father, John Moffat, who was a long serving volunteer at Portpatrick.
Ian Beck said: ‘It was a real honour to present the service awards this evening, each and every one of them so well deserved. But a special mention must go to Allan Burgess who has served as crew and launch authority here since 1981, finally stepping down in 2023. In the 42 years of Allan’s service at Portpatrick, the lifeboat saved 134 lives. The RNLI is dependant on volunteers who, like Allan, selflessly give up their time to save others and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone here at Portpatrick RNLI – whether crew, fundraisers, shop team, launch authority or press officers – it’s you that make our lifesaving work possible’.
Notes to Editors
· Statistics from RNLI Operational Data from 4 March 1824 to 31 December 2023 inclusive. A life saved shows how many of the people helped by the RNLI would have lost their life had the RNLI not been there.
· Click here to access the RNLI 200th anniversary media pack, which contains a selection of RNLI archive images from key points in the charity’s history, an RNLI history timeline, and a film of ‘200 years in 200 seconds’ – all of which can be downloaded.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 more than 146,000 lives.
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.