RNLI: With Courage, Nothing is Impossible

With this edition marking our 20th anniversary, it seems like we’ve been around forever. In the scheme of things, however, we’re infants. Earlier this year, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) – the charity that saves lives at sea – celebrated its 200th birthday. 

The RNLI has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives.  Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially-trained volunteers, the RNLI is a truly unique rescue organisation.

The RNLI Jersey has almost 200 years of lifesaving history and it is all thanks to our incredible local supporters.  All the lifeboat operations here in Jersey are entirely funded by local donations.  While the equipment, lifeboat capabilities and functionality has evolved over the years, the generosity and kindness has been constant from islanders.  

Jersey has had a lifeboat since 1830, when a boat was kept near Havre des Pas, to the south-east of St Helier.  St Helier had its first RNLI station in 1884 and it moved to its current location on the Albert Quay in 1993. A second station was opened on the north side of Gibraltar Rock at St Catherine in 1969.  The station has moved twice since then: first in 1984 to a purpose-built building at the top of the slip at the foot of the breakwater; and more recently, in 1990, by the coastal tower in St Catherine’s Bay.  

The crew operate our Island’s three RNLI lifeboats with over 50 volunteer crew and one full time mechanic, not including RNLI beach lifeguards.  Behind that is a team of management, all local volunteers and of course their Fundraising Guild who run all manner of events each year.  They operate closely with Jersey Coastguard, the other blue light services and fellow mariners.

Since they were founded, the St Helier (1884) and St Catherines (1969) lifeboat stations combined have launched 1,837 times.  Jersey RNLI lifeboats have saved an incredible 486 lives between them.  Local RNLI Lifeguards who started operating on Jersey beaches in 2011 have since then dealt with an incredible 3,384 incidents, aided 4,042 people and saved 18 lives.  Local RNLI Gallantry awards include 4 Gold medals, 7 Silver medals and 9 Bronze medals.  A combined tally of 20 which is simply extraordinary (stats up to date as of July 2024).