Members of Lyme Regis Lifeboat took part in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) 200th anniversary.

The charity marked the day on Monday, March 4 by announcing it has saved 146,277 lives over two centuries, with over 1,000 lives being saved in west Dorset since 1824.

In Lyme Regis, lifeboats were launched 1,651 times, saving 324 lives. Across west Dorset lifeboats have been launched on a total of 5,343 occasions, saving 1,282 lives. 

In honour of the landmark anniversary, a Service of Thanksgiving was held at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, March 4.

Representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities around the UK and Ireland attended, including six men and women from Lyme Regis.

One of those attending, volunteer lifeboat operations manager, Mark Colley, said: “Some 15 lifeboats of all shapes and sizes have served Lyme Regis and we are proud to have followed those hundreds of volunteers before us in the tradition of saving lives at sea.

“Every one of our volunteers is regarded as a member of the crew and there is a real family atmosphere at our lifeboat station."

Throughout its bicentenary year, the charity is running events and activities to remember its important history and celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. 

Mr Colley added: "Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis starts this year on July 27 and just one of the events will be a reunion of former crew members.

"We are trying to contact as many former crew members as possible, and if they would like to join us to celebrate 200 years they should email richardhorobin@googlemail.com.”

Founded in a London tavern on March 4 in 1824, following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout its history.

Over the two centuries it has seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit it uses, from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity.

Other developments include going from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.

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 added: "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.

"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.’

For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.