Event commemorates 200 years of lifesaving
The chief executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution says Sir William Hillary would be ‘proud’ of what the lifesaving charity represents today.
Sir William, a Manx resident, founded the institution 200 years ago after witnessing shipwrecks off the Manx coast, and being involved in several rescue efforts.
Born in Yorkshire on 4 January 1771 he moved to Douglas in his late thirties and later died on the Isle of Man on 5 January 1847.
After marking the occasion on Douglas Promenade the RNLI held its annual service in St. George's Church in Douglas, the site of Sir William's Tomb.
Chief Executive Mark Dowie laid a wreath on behalf of RNLI President, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent.
Consistency of purpose
The RNLI says its philosophy remains the same as it was in 1824, its vision; 'to save every one'.
Since then it has saved over 144,000 lives, 'evolving from oar-powered boats to modern vessels, and expanding its impact globally.'
"We are about saving lives at sea, that is what we do. We won't be distracted from that."
Chief Executive Mark Dowie spoke to Manx Radio about Sir William's 'extraordinary vision':
"For us to set the foundation now for the next 200 years is absolutely vital."
Emily Heaton became Douglas Lifeboat Stations first female coxswain in 2023:
'We want to engage now with the next generation. What will the RNLI look like in a hundred years' time?'
Allen Corlett, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Peel Lifeboat Station and Chair of the Isle of Man 200th Anniversary Panel, told Manx Radio what residents can look out for this year:
A special RNLI 200 stamp collection and a Coastal Collection of Spirits by Fynoderee Distillery have been launched in collaboration with the charity.
Partnerships with Visit Isle of Man and a new exhibition at Manx National Heritage’s House of Manannan aim to showcase the RNLI's historic connection to the Island.
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