Service of Thanksgiving held in St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney

On 4 March 1824, Sir William Hillary, inspired by the numerous shipwrecks he witnessed around the Isle of Man where he resided, founded the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck. Renamed the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on 05 October 1854, the organisation has been at the forefront of maritime rescue efforts.

Since the deployment of its first lifeboat, RNLI volunteers have saved 146,000 lives at sea, averaging two rescues per day for the past two centuries. However, this mission has not been without sacrifice, as six hundred volunteers have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives to save others.

This year marks the bicentenary of the RNLI, and today a service was held to commemorate, celebrate, and give thanksgiving for the work that the volunteers of the RNLI have carried out tirelessly over the past 200 years. Led by Cathedral Minister Revd Fraser Macnaughton, the service was attended by volunteers from Longhope, Stromness, Kirkwall and Thurso. During the service, Roz Ware (Deputy Launch Authority Longhope) read from Mark 11, while Kate Irving-Lewis (Kirkwall crew) recited the One Crew Pledge of the RNLI before a rousing version of the hymn, Eternal Father strong to save was sung. This has been rewritten by Richard Macdonald (Anstruther crew) to include the verse:

‘O Lord, entrust their souls safe to keep,

As lifeboats plough o’er oceans deep;

Lend them your courage, strength and grace,

To those in peril, they must race:

Oh, hear us Lord, a sailor’s plea,

Guide all who save lives out at sea!’

Jayne George (Fundraising, Marketing, and Media Director RNLI) concluded the service with a Vote of Thanks, by both commemorating those who had selflessly given their lives and celebrating the achievements of today’s crew, volunteers, communities and supporters saying, ‘They provide a world-class lifesaving service, based on two hundred years of learning, expertise and innovation. They are people from all ages, active all around and across our nations, from diverse backgrounds, united by the RNLI’s vision: to save everyone we can’.

Following the service, a reception was held at the Kirkwall and St Ola Town Hall and Community Centre, where Graham Bevan (Convener Orkney Islands Council) expressed ‘the immense sense of admiration and gratitude felt towards the many volunteer lifeboat crews, shore staff and families in our coastal communities across the United Kingdom. Communities that over the years have stood beside the RNLI to help meet the challenges in saving lives at sea. Indeed, our current generation of lifeboat crews, their families and wider members of the community will never forget the sacrifices that have been made in the past for services to others through their dedication and commitment’.

The RNLI continues to go thrive and is now very much a part of the fabric of British society. Reflecting on the ongoing journey of lifesaving efforts, Chris Smith (Chair Scottish Council RNLI) noted, ‘This is just a stop on the journey, not the final destination’.

Notes to editors

· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874 and celebrates its 150^th anniversary in 2024. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Longhope Lifeboat Station (rnli.org)

RNLI media contacts

Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07703 688066, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 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.