ON March 4, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) commemorated two centuries of unwavering dedication to 'saving lives at sea'.

Since its inception in 1824, the RNLI’s volunteer crews have launched lifeboats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives.

Despite protecting those across Britain's busiest coastlines through their 24/7 service, volunteers in Cumbria have also been called into action inland such as when four hundred people were assisted over three days during the December floods in 2015. 

Times and Star: Chris Fairclough and Sophie Thornton are rescued, along with their dog Poppy, two cats and a chinchilla from their flooded home by RNLI boat on Eldred Street in Carlisle during 2015 floods. Chris Fairclough and Sophie Thornton are rescued, along with their dog Poppy, two cats and a chinchilla from their flooded home by RNLI boat on Eldred Street in Carlisle during 2015 floods. (Image: David Hollins)

Across the county on Monday (March 4), volunteers from Silloth, Workington, St Bees and Barrow honoured the 200-year milestone. 

The Workington Lifeboat invited the community to join them in Vulcan Park for a celebratory event in collaboration with the Workington Town Council.

Attendees witnessed the planting of special RNLI roses and shared a cuppa with the public at the council's Princess Street venue.

Other events included a service at Silloth Christ Church to commemorate the anniversary on March 3. 

Times and Star: Service outside Silloth Christ Church on March 3Service outside Silloth Christ Church on March 3 (Image: Arran De Mello)

A Silloth RNLI Lifeboat spokesperson summed it up as a "lovely service that was led by our station chaplain," which included readings by the group's volunteers.

St Bees RNLI further carried on the celebrations at Westminster Abbey, as two helms Alistair Graham and Ian Wrigley gathered the national service of thanksgiving.

The service of thanksgiving began at 11.30am, the exact time the RNLI founding papers were signed back in 1824.

Times and Star: St Bees RNLI team come ashore. St Bees RNLI team come ashore. (Image: St Bees RNLI)

"Since St Bees lifeboat station was founded in 1970 our crews have saved 71 lives.

"The RNLI has been dedicated to saving lives at sea for 200 years," a spokesperson said. 

During the First World War, between 1914 and 1918, RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times, saving 5,332 lives.

RNLI crews saved 6,376 lives around the coasts of Britain and Ireland during the Second World War.

In 1940, 19 RNLI lifeboats were used to evacuate troops from Dunkirk with two vessels having RNLI crews while the others were manned by the Royal Navy.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

To help support RNLI, visit https://rnli.org/