RNLI pushes the boat out for its 200 year celebrations

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is gearing up to commemorate its remarkable 200-year voyage from 1824 to 2024. A series of celebratory events in Torbay is scheduled throughout the year, kicking off with two on Sunday, March 3rd, and Monday, March 4th.

Kicking off a year of festivities, Torbay RNLI, under the guidance of Coxswain Richard Fowler, has meticulously organised these two events. The aim is to reflect on the remarkable history of the RNLI, celebrate the ongoing lifesaving services, and foster enthusiasm to inspire a fresh wave of lifesavers and supporters for the future.

Sunday, March 3rd: 'Blessing of the Fleet' Spectacle

On Sunday, an historic 'Blessing of the Fleet' will unfold featuring all RNLI lifeboats from the South Devon coast, from Exmouth to Salcombe. The lifeboats will gather in the Bay before embarking in convoy along the Breakwater to Torbay RNLI's berth where a special blessing ceremony will be conducted by the Fishermen’s Mission Area Officer for Devon, Helen Lovell-Smith,

Helen said, “With our long and very close association with RNLI, we are naturally delighted to be involved in these events and to play our part in helping celebrate this important landmark in the RNLI’s history.”

As a tribute from the fishing community, Brixham's trawler fleet and local vessels will accompany the lifeboats' parade with 200 seconds of horn-blasting, symbolizing the 200 years of the RNLI's service. The ceremony will be attended by local dignitaries, including church leaders from across the religious denominations, South Ham’s MP Anthony Mangnall, the Mayor of Torbay, regional Yacht Club Commodores, and surviving RNLI coxswains, who will lead this unique occasion.

Monday, March 4th: Church Service at All Saints Church, Brixham

The celebration continues Monday with a service at Brixham's iconic All Saints church at 6:45pm. Attended by current and retired RNLI Torbay volunteer crews, support staff, families, the Bishop James Grier of Plymouth and other local dignitaries, the service will commence with three minutes of Bay-wide bell ringing by churches across Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.

Local schools, choirs, and musicians are being invited to participate in the service, contributing musical performances, art displays, and dedicated readings. Following the service, attendees will have the opportunity to meet, question and chat to our RNLI coxswains and crew over refreshments.

It is an opportunity to celebrate with crew, past and present, and show the community’s appreciation for the many years of service our station has provided, going way back to the 1866 when the ‘good people of Exeter bought Torbay’s first lifeboat following the Great Storm of that year’.

Simon James of RNLI Torbay and organizer of these 200th-anniversary celebrations remarked, "Apart from reflecting on 200 years of service, it will also be a chance for our crew members, our station’s volunteers, and all our families, to come together with the local community in a really important celebration of a major milestone in our history.

“Our aim is to kick off these 200th year celebrations in memorable style. We want to fill the church and hold an historic service that will be remembered for generations. So, we are keen to spread the word and get this date etched into as many diaries across the local community as we can!”

The public is indeed warmly invited to attend both these events; to witness the 'Blessing of the Fleet' on Sunday 3rd March and join the service at All Saints Church on Monday evening; and share these moments of celebration, and to reflect with us on 200 years of service and achievement.