Largs lifeboat crew mark 200th anniversary of RNLI

Founded in London on March 4, 1824, the RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved 146,277 over two centuries, providing emergency help and assistance 24/7 and 365 days a year.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI,  Largs Lifeboat are opening their gift shop today, March 4, from 1pm - 4.30pm. with a special discount of 15 per cent on all stock.

At 11.30am today,  Monday March 4, the same time that the RNLI founding papers were signed in 1824, representatives from across the charity gathered at Westminster Abbey attending a Service of Thanksgiving - including representatives from Largs.

The guests at this service will be a mixture of volunteers and staff from all areas of the RNLI, alongside donors, partners, and a number of VIPs and dignitaries.

Representatives from Largs RNLI are down in London for this including Claire McRae.

It is also the 60th anniversary of Largs Lifeboat in the town, which has been operating since in 1964 

Its current boathouse was completed in 1998 and opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Princess Anne at the launch of the Largs Lifeboat Station in Greenock Road in 1998 (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Cumbrae Coastguard said: "Happy 200th birthday to our close friends at the RNLI.

"For two centuries, HM Coastguard and the RNLI have been working together to protect lives at the coast and to save lives at sea.

"Our purpose is the same - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to keep you safe."

And The Largs Fishworks also put up a message of thanks, which read: "We would like to shout out to our own and every lifeboat station on the 200th anniversary of the RNLI. Thank You for everything you do!"

Significant milestones in the history of the Largs RNLI are as follows:

1964

Inshore lifeboat station established in May with a D class lifeboat.

1971

Committee of management decided to award framed letters of thanks signed by the Institution's chairman to helmsman John H Harrison and crew members Robert Watson and John Mackie for their services to a drilling rig (Pontoon) in difficulties off Hunterston Sands on March 18.

1973

An Atlantic 17 class lifeboat sent to station.

1974

The Atlantic 17 and D class lifeboat withdrawn and replaced by an Atlantic 21 lifeboat as the station boat.

1983

Silver Medal was awarded to crew member Arthur Hill in recognition of his courage, determination and cool assessment of a difficult situation when he entered the water from the lifeboat and ducked down about three feet to get under the cabin top of an upturned boat to rescue a young girl trapped forward in a small air-pocket. Helmsman John Strachan was accorded the thanks of the institution inscribed on Vellum for his leadership and judgement. The Maud Smith Award for the most outstanding act of lifesaving by a life-boatman during 1983 was awarded to Arthur Hill for this service.

1998

The boathouse was of insufficient size to accommodate an Atlantic 75 class lifeboat and launching vehicle and hence the construction of a larger boathouse was proposed. Facilities include housing for the lifeboat and launching vehicle, workshop, oil and petrol stores. This was completed in February.

2011

A new B class, Atlantic 85 lifeboat, B-854 R A Wilson was placed on service on 6 November. This lifeboat was funded by The Toby Charitable Trust, which was created by deed granted by Robert Amory Wilson.