Wishart celebrates 200 years of the RNLI

Ahead of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)’s 200 year anniversary on 4 March 2024, Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the importance of the organisation to Shetland.

The motion praises the work of the two Shetland RNLI lifeboat stations, Aith and Lerwick, highlighting two examples of particularly dangerous rescues that demonstrate the skill and determination of the RNLI volunteers, and thanks all staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity for their work.

Ms Wishart said:

“In Shetland we are keenly aware of the crucial service the RNLI provides to coastal and island communities. Over its 200 years, the charity has saved over 144,000 lives at sea.

“The local crews are held in high regard in our community, and rightly so. On call 24/7, they demonstrate the bravery, determination and skill of RNLI volunteers across the country, often in the face of dangerous and unpredictable conditions.

“When you know the lifeboat is out, you think of the crew and their loved ones at home as well as those in need of their assistance.
“I offer my thanks to all those involved in the operation of the RNLI in Shetland and congratulations to the organisation on its 200 year anniversary.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The full text of Ms Wishart’s motion is below and it can be viewed on the Scottish Parliament website here.

Title: RNLI Celebrates 200 Years of Saving Lives at Sea

Motion Text:

That the Parliament celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on 4 March 2024; understands that the RNLI was founded as the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck at its inaugural meeting in the London Tavern in Bishopsgate, on 4 March 1824, following a campaign by Sir William Hillary to create a lifeboat service manned by trained crews for all of the UK and Ireland; further understands that 12 unanimously-passed resolutions from this meeting remain part of the RNLI charter today, which include that the Institution be supported by donations and annual subscriptions and that it afford immediate assistance to persons rescued; praises the hard work of RNLI staff and volunteers over the past 200 years, which has saved over 144,000 lives at sea; considers that the RNLI provides a crucial service to coastal and island communities across Scotland, including in the Shetland Islands constituency; commends the work of RNLI Lerwick and RNLI Aith for their bravery and dedication to saving lives at sea, often in incredibly challenging conditions; notes, in particular, the 1997 rescue of the Green Lily by RNLI Lerwick, which saw Coxswain Clark awarded the Maude Smith Award for the bravest act of lifesaving in 1997 and RNLI’s highest honour of the Gold Medal for Gallantry, becoming one of the most decorated lifeboat crew members in RNLI history, for demonstrating enormous courage, leadership and seamanship in rescuing five men from the vessel in horrendous weather conditions, including 15-metre breaking seas and force 11 winds, and the 1967 rescue of the crew of 12 from the Juniper by RNLI Aith, which saw the Silver Medal awarded to the Coxswain John R Nicholson for his skill and determination in taking the lifeboat through a narrow uncharted channel to reach the trawler; further notes that a recent 18-hour rescue operation by RNLI Lerwick was commended in motion S6M-10919 of this Parliament and that a 20-hour rescue operation by RNLI Aith was commended in motion S6M-07422 of this Parliament; believes that the RNLI is held in high regard by the communities that it serves, as demonstrated in Shetland by the fundraising efforts of community groups to support the RNLI, including the work of the Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild; expresses its thanks to all staff and volunteers at the RNLI and all supporters of the charity for enabling lifeboat provision throughout the country; congratulates RNLI on its 200th anniversary, and wishes all at the RNLI well.