Penlee Marks RNLI’s 200th Anniversary with Historic Scroll Signing

Photo Credit: RNLI/Philip MoncktonRNLI Penlee Lifeboat crew with the scroll

On a significant day for maritime heroes, the RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station hosted a ceremonial event on Thursday, 11th April, marking a pivotal moment in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) 200th-year celebrations. A specially crafted scroll, embarking on a journey through various RNLI communities across the UK and Ireland, made its stop at Penlee where it was signed by key figures in the RNLI Penlee community.

A Scroll Connecting Communities

The RNLI 200 Connecting our Communities Scroll is at the heart of this year’s bicentennial festivities, designed to weave together the diverse sectors of the RNLI family from lifeboat stations to fundraising branches. This scroll carries the RNLI Pledge and is set to be signed by representatives from all involved communities as it travels throughout the regions.

Arriving from Westminster Abbey where it commenced its voyage on 4th March, the scroll reached Penlee and was signed by prominent community members: RNLI Penlee coxswain Patch, Janet, chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, and Rosalie, secretary. The event highlighted Patch’s signature as the 200th, symbolising a historic benchmark in the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year.

Unity in Diversity

The scroll is not just a symbol of commitment but also a mosaic of the RNLI’s linguistic diversity, showcasing translations in Cornish, Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots, and Manx. These languages represent the wide array of communities committed to the life-saving cause of the RNLI.

Photo Credit: RNLI/Philip MoncktonRNLI Penlee Lifeboat team

The One Crew Pledge

Emblazoned on the scroll is the RNLI One Crew Pledge, a testament to the unity and collective spirit driving the organisation’s volunteers:

“Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us. This is our watch, we lead the way, valuing each other, trusting each other, depending on one another, volunteering to face the storm together. Knowing that, with courage, nothing is impossible. That is what has always driven us to save every one we can. It’s what makes every one of us a lifesaver.”

This pledge not only reflects the ethos of the RNLI but also reinforces the bond among its members, who brave the treacherous waters to save lives.

Celebrating 200 Years of Service

The RNLI’s 200th anniversary is a landmark moment, celebrating two centuries of maritime rescue and the incredible bravery of its volunteers. The scroll’s journey and the signatures it collects along the way commemorate the selfless acts of lifesavers past and present, and the RNLI’s enduring commitment to maritime safety.

Penlee’s involvement in this historic event highlights its critical role within the RNLI framework and its dedication to the organisation’s life-saving mission. As the scroll moves on to its next destination, it carries with it the spirit of Penlee and the unified pledge of over 200 RNLI communities.