In a historic gathering, volunteers from Sussex’s RNLI stations, including the venerable Brighton and Newhaven lifeboat crews, convened at Westminster Abbey on Monday, 4 March 2024, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). This momentous occasion celebrated two centuries of heroic efforts and dedication to saving lives at sea.
Brighton RNLI, one of the original lifeboat stations established in 1824, has a storied history of bravery and service, launching 2,602 times and saving 343 lives over the years. Newhaven Lifeboat, with its origins dating back to May 1803, stands as one of the oldest lifeboat stations in the country, with the RNLI taking over operations in 1854. The station’s evolution from its early days, through modernization efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflects the enduring commitment to maritime safety.
During the service, Roger Cohen MBE, a distinguished figure with a rich history at both Brighton and Tower RNLI and now serving as the Lifeboat Operations Manager for Newhaven and Brighton, recited the Volunteers Pledge. Cohen expressed the day’s significance, noting it as a time to “commemorate and celebrate the immense work and sometimes sacrifice of selfless lifesavers before us.”
The event also saw participation from a broad spectrum of RNLI volunteers across Sussex, including seven members from Shoreham RNLI, representatives from Eastbourne, Hastings, Rye, Selsey, and Littlehampton stations, showcasing the collective spirit and dedication of the RNLI community.
Nick Gentry, Newhaven’s longest-serving volunteer crew member with 41 years of service, and Gary Marsh, Newhaven Launch Authority, were among the attendees, embodying the long-standing tradition of volunteer service that defines the RNLI.
The 200th-anniversary service not only honored the past achievements and sacrifices of RNLI volunteers but also looked forward to the future, reinforcing the commitment to saving lives at sea. The Sussex RNLI crews’ presence at Westminster Abbey underscored their unwavering dedication to the mission, celebrating a legacy of lifesaving that continues to inspire and make a difference along Britain’s coastlines.
