Across the UK lifeboat services make a vital contribution to search and rescue services, so it was a privilege for local MP Kevin Foster to sponsor and lead a debate in the House of Commons today highlighting this.
The classic image of the lifeboat service is one of heroism and fighting through rough seas to save lives. The courage of those involved and their commitment to save lives in peril on the sea being the anchor that holds a crew together as, in the words of the famous hymn “the breakers roar and the reef is the near” during a rescue mission.
The RNLI, founded back in 1824, is for many people what they think of when talking about lifeboats. The scale of the RNLI’s contribution to search and rescue is immense. In 2021 alone there were 8868 lifeboat launches (84 of these were in at least force 8 conditions) + 1022 crew assemblies, a total of 9890 taskings. This resulted in 12,903 people being aided and 296 lives being saved. Around 95% of the RNLI team are volunteers including around 5,600 crew members, 3,700 shore crew (including station management), 82 lifeguards and 23,000 fundraisers. This includes the team at the RNLI Torbay Lifeboat Station in Brixham.
In addition to the RNLI, there are over 50 independent lifeboat organisations around the UK today, such as the Hope Cove Lifeboat in South Devon.
The debate was a good opportunity for Kevin to highlight not only the service of so many to their community, but also some issues where the government could act to support them. Kevin ended his speech with a simple message to all who serve in our lifeboat services: Thank You.
