BRAVE local RNLI volunteers attended a ‘moving’ Westminster Abbey service to mark the lifesaving charity’s 200th anniversary on Sunday.
Members of Portaferry, Donaghadee and Bangor RNLI teams were amongst a 1,800-strong congregation as they joined colleagues from lifeboat communities from across Ireland and the United Kingdom for the bi-centenary service.
Three RNLI lifeboats were brought to the Abbey and put on display for the service while a number of volunteers such Mr Philip McNamara, Donaghadee Lifeboat coxswain, with 41 years dedicated service and Mr Ross Bennett, a lifeboat crew volunteer for two decades, attended in uniform.
Patricia Browne, chair of Portaferry and District Lifeboat Guild, as well as Joan Peacock, Portaferry retail secretary, were also honoured to attend the thanksgiving service in London.
Today the charity operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland, with the lifeboats having launched 9,472 times with their volunteers saving 1,535 lives and coming to the aid of thousands of more.
In the thanksgiving service, the charity commemorated its history, reflected on the lifesaving service it continues to provide and looked ahead to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle and during the service the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby praised RNLI volunteers as ‘models for everyone’ who ‘risk their lives for those who are not known to them’.
The charity was founded in 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks. Today, the Duke of Kent, is president of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and after attending the service he signed the charity’s 200th pledge scroll.
Mr Browne, who has given over 40 years dedicated service to the charity, said of the Westminster thanksgiving service: “It was very moving, it really was marvellous to see all the volunteers together.”
“I have been involved with Portaferry Lifeboat since 1979. My husband was one of the first helms when the lifeboat came to Portaferry and I have been involved since. It is a really great charity to support.”
Closer to home, RNLI volunteers from Bangor, Donaghadee and Portaferry were among those who gathered at Belfast Harbour to represent their lifeboat stations and launch the charity’s 200th anniversary celebrations in Northern Ireland.
Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity; and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.
The RNLI’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. The charity designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.
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.
Speaking in the Assembly, Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong used her Member’s Statement to congratulate Portaferry RNLI and their colleagues on 200 years of saving lives at sea.
The Alliance Party politician said: “This week we celebrate a monumental milestone in maritime safety and rescue. This week the Royal National Lifeboat Association marks its 200th anniversary, two centuries of unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.
“Founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, the RNLI has been the beacon of hope for countless souls in distress, embodying the spirit of courage, selflessness, and resilience. For two centuries, its volunteers have braved the tempests, risking their own lives to rescue those in peril on the sea.”
“Around Northern Ireland, the RNLI’s presence is deeply felt, with stations dotting the coastline, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. From Kilkeel to Donaghadee, from Newcastle to Portaferry, these stations stand as pillars of safety, guarding our shores with vigilance and dedication.
“I thank in particular the volunteer crew in Portaferry who give up their private time, leave family dinners, have disturbed sleep to go out, whatever the weather, to answer the call for help.”
Ms Armstrong said: “The RNLI’s legacy is not just measured in years or numbers but in the countless lives saved, the families reunited, and the communities strengthened. Their commitment to training, innovation, and collaboration has made our waters safer for all who venture out to sea.”
“As we celebrate this historic occasion, let us not forget the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the RNLI, nor the support of the communities that stand behind them. Together, they form an unbreakable chain of solidarity, ensuring that no call for help goes unanswered.”
She cautioned: “Amidst the celebrations, let us also recognise the challenges that lie ahead. Climate change, technological advancements, and evolving patterns of maritime activity demand that we remain vigilant and adaptable. The RNLI’s 200th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past but a call to action for the future.”
