20 Years of RNLI Lifeboats on the Thames in

Описание: Join us as we celebrate 20 years of RNLI crews watching over the River Thames.

From one terrible disaster, a lifesaving legacy was born.

On a warm August evening in 1989, the dredger Bowbelle collided with the pleasure steamer Marchioness. There was no lifeboat service on the river to save people from the rapidly sinking boats.

The Thames is an unforgiving waterway. Powerful, cold currents, submerged hazards, busy river traffic, a tangle of moorings – this is not somewhere you want to end up in the water.

Despite the efforts of everyone on the river, 51 people lost their lives. An inquiry into the disaster recommended a dedicated lifeboat service for London’s river.

On 2 January 2002, four RNLI lifeboat stations opened on the tidal reaches of the Thames: at Teddington, Chiswick, Tower (in central London) and Gravesend.

Their crews would become some of the busiest in our fleet. To date they’ve launched more than 16,000 times and saved over 600 lives!

They’ve patrolled during huge events like the 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee River Pageant, and comforted people during some of the most terrifying moments of their life.

To everyone who protects this busy river – THANK YOU.

Original thumbnail image by Laura Lewis.

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are ready to launch to help those in need. Whether you're stuck on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. 95% of RNLI lifeboat crews and station staff are volunteers.

But it’s not just lifeboats. RNLI lifeguards patrol 248 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, keeping people safe, providing safety advice and rescuing those in trouble. Education volunteers visit schools and swimming clubs to help teach the next generation how to enjoy the water safely. And volunteer fundraisers and shop workers give up their time to generate vital funds. The RNLI is also working to help communities around the world that are most at risk of drowning.

If you spot someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

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Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ