Manx RNLI volunteers welcome Her Majesty The Queen to the Isle of Man

Douglas is the birthplace of the RNLI; Sir William Hillary founded the charity in 1824 after witnessing regular shipwrecks off the coast of Douglas.

Douglas was granted city status as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer invited volunteers from each lifeboat station on the Isle of Man to join the council in welcoming Her Majesty to the island at Government House following the ceremony.

Mark Dowie Chief Executive of the RNLI was in attendance and introduced Her Majesty to the 12 RNLI volunteers present. Volunteers from Douglas, Ramsey, Port St Mary, Peel and Port Erin had the opportunity to speak with The Queen about their volunteer roles.

Mark Dowie said: ‘It was a very special day for Douglas and the Isle of Man. My congratulations to Douglas on becoming the only crown dependency with a capital city.

‘The RNLI is extremely proud of our heritage on the island, and it is especially poignant this ceremony has taken place in the RNLI’s 200^th anniversary year, two weeks after we officially commemorated the foundation of the charity on 4 March at Westminster Abbey.

‘It is an honour for RNLI representatives from all five lifeboat stations on the island to be recognised as part of this momentous occasion for the City of Douglas.’

Mark presented Her Majesty with a limited-edition RNLI 200^th anniversary scarf and bandanas for Their Majesties dogs – Beth and Bluebell. A bottle of RNLI gin was presented by Paul and Tiffany Kerruish of Fynoderee Distillery. One of the D class RNLI lifeboats was on display on the lawn outside for attendees to admire.

Amongst the volunteers to meet The Queen were Peel RNLI crew member Samuel Styles and chair of the Peel fundraisers and shore crew, Emma Le Cornu. Representing Port Erin Lifeboat Station were Lifeboat Operations Manager, Lewis Barritt and inshore lifeboat crew member, John Walker. Port St Mary volunteers included Sarah Keggen, Lifeboat Operations Manager and Laura Cordner, inshore lifeboat crew.

Her Majesty was also introduced to Ramsey RNLI shore crew volunteer, Mandy Scott and Connor Murray, all-weather lifeboat crew. Finally, representing Douglas were all-weather lifeboat crew, Rochelle Poole and Breesha Cowin, secretary of the Douglas Fundraising Branch, Emily Heaton who is also one of the station coxswains, and chair of the Douglas Fundraising Branch, Gilli Cowley.

Sarah Keggen, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Port St Mary said:

‘It was an absolute honour to meet Her Majesty The Queen during such a prestigious occasion. As we celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea, there is a real sense of celebration and pride that we are volunteering on the island where the charity was founded. Being able to share our history and heritage with The Queen is something none of us will ever forget.'

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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.

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