RNLI Penarth celebrates 200 years of RNLI

In 2024, we will be celebrating 200 years of lifesaving by the RNLI.

Through a series of events, activities, media coverage and more, we will be paying tribute to the RNLI’s remarkable history and people – and paving the way for our future.

In Penarth the RNLI opened a ‘new’ lifeboat station on 17th June 1980, some 75 years after the original lifeboat station was closed – which operated from 1861 – 1905, during which time a total of 94 lives saved by the volunteer crews. Following a highly successful community led project and appeal the RNLI agreed to a new Penarth lifeboat station which was initially based in a local private garage, relocating to premises which eventually became the fig tree restaurant and latterly Coffi Co. Finally in 1995 the station relocated to a purpose built station, which has become a much loved landmark on Penarth’s Esplanade.

The RNLI’s third century will start on our watch. It will be a chance for us to come together as one crew to commemorate our past, celebrate who we are today, and inspire the next generation of lifesavers.

As part of this we are aiming to raise £20,000 in the 200th year to support our volunteers in Penarth.

Jason Dunlop, the lifeboat operations manager for Penarth station said, “Having a lifeboat based in Penarth for the last 43 years has been a huge success, and we have plans to mark this important occasion during 2024. We are very much a community station, and we are grateful to everyone that supports the work we do.

Too many people are still drowning. More than ever we need the RNLI’s help. As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe. RNLI lifesavers are our lifeline. They’re the lifeboat crews who provide 24-hour search and rescue right around the UK and Ireland. The lifeguards keeping watch on 240 of the busiest beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. And the RNLI safety teams and educators working tirelessly to stop people getting into trouble in the first place.

Thank you.