200 years of heroism

The RNLI celebrates its bicentennial of saving people from the sea

- HELENA CARTWRIGHT

For 200 years, the RNLI - the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - has been saving lives at sea. Funded entirely by donations, and with lifeboats crewed by trained volunteers, the RNLI is available 24/7.

In the 19th century, there were around 1,800 shipwrecks around the UK every year. Living in Douglas on the Isle of Man, Sir William Hillary saw the treacherous nature of the sea and was inspired to help. He wrote a pamphlet detailing plans for a lifeboat service, and targeted London society, garnering the support of politicians, philanthropists, bankers and, finally, George IV. The Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (as it was known for 30 years) was finally established in a London tavern on 4 March 1824. Although its name has changed, the RNLI's mission has stayed much the same, and it continues to save lives all around the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Real-life rescues

Gianna Saccomani, 60, now retired, joined the RNLI (Teddington) seven years ago.

'I'd lived opposite the lifeboat station for a few years when, one day, I met a crew member and he said, 'Why don't you volunteer?' I thought, I can't do that, I have no boating experience. But it turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks.