Lifeboat volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the safety of anyone in our seas. From people to dogs, they also ‘don’t do politics’ and are dismayed that some are telling them who they can and can’t rescue from the Channel. Lifeboat crews also often witness upsetting scenes, and need support for good mental health, especially for unsuccessful rescues.
Stormy weather and high tides can make their work more difficult, but so can people who don’t follow safety flag warnings. Read how to stay safe at the sea with dogs and how to stay safe near quicksand/sinking mud.
One of the best ways to avoid false call-outs is to avoid using fire lanterns (these are mistaken for coastal flares and risk lifeboat crew lives – as well as causing fires on land).
Many people cross the English channel in desperate circumstances. RNLI says it will help anyone. Not just due to compassion – but it’s the law to help anyone in trouble, in international waters.
RNLI is the main charity in charge of 350 lifeboards in UK and Ireland (plus 108 relief lifeboats). Plus it costs around £1500 t0 train each volunteer, and 240 beaches have salaried lifeguards (which alone in 2022 saved 17 lives). Like all ‘big charities’, there is a paid Chief Executive. However, this one has chosen not to accept annual pay increases, and also refuses other allowances (including a company car).
There are also a few other organisations dedicated to sea safety:
- NILA represents around 30 independent lifeboats.
- Royal Yachting Association has safety info for sustainable sailors.
- National Coastwatch (independent of HM Coastguard) provides a watch service for swimmers and boaters.
- Surf Life Saving GB trains lifeguards, if you see yourself as David Hasselhoff or Pamela Anderson!
- Home and Dry keeps fishing crews safe.
RNLI Tips for Sea Safety
- Visitor beaches monitored by RNLI, as experts can warn of incidents and dangers.
- Check tidal causeways times, to avoid you and cars getting stranded.
- Carry phones in waterproof pouches, so you can call 999 (or coastguard or 112 in Irish waters).
- Learn to swim (children can get free lessons). This helps prevent drowning on wild swims.
- Float to Live. If in trouble, tilt your head back, submerge your ears, and use hands to stay afloat. Then call for help, or swim to safety.
A Few Famous Lifeboat Rescues
Henry Blogg was a quiet humble lifeboat volunteer, who never got over the tragedy of losing his two young children. He saved 873 lives (including many birds and a large dog from the sinking ship Monte Nevoso in 1932 – who he adopted and they becamse best friends). Cromer Museum (Norfolk) is mostly dedicated to him.
There is also a free museum on Lindisfarne (Northumberland) dedicated to Grace Darling, a 10-oar lifeboat built in 1865. The boat was named after this young lass and her father rowed out in strong winds to rescue five survivors of a vessel that wrecked on the nearby Farne Islands, while sailing from Hull to Dundee. Half the ship sank in 15 minutes with many people (including children) dying, and from the local lighthouse, Grace saw the wreck and spotted survivors on rocks.
Grace then helped her mother look after the survivors, while her father and three other men rowed back to rescue more people. Sadly, Grace died just four years later of TB (receiving the best medical care at
She and her father rowed out in strong winds and rescued five people, then she stayed behind to (with her mother) look after them, while her father and three other men rowed back to rescue the others. Sadly she died just 4 years later of TB (receiving the best medical care at Alnwick Castle, on instructions of the Duchess of Northumberland).
Tragic Lifeboat Incidents in South West England
The seas near many areas in England can be treacherous. In 1981, all 8 volunteer lifeboat men were killed along with the crew of the coaster vessel they were trying to save (which ran aground after seawater got into the fuel tank). Today the village of Mousehole (Cornwall) has a local train named after the boat’s crew. Within one day, local volunteers had formed a new lifeboat crew.
In 1916, an open row lifeboat capsized in Salcombe (Devon) and 13 of the 15 crew lost their lives. Immediately a new crew formed, which continues to this day.
