Representatives of the RNLI were today (12 March), honoured to welcome Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales as they visited one of London’s four RNLI lifeboat stations at Waterloo Bridge, to hear about the vital work of volunteers and staff saving lives.
With the charity more usually associated with the coastline of the UK and Ireland, Londoners are often surprised to see the RNLI’s lifeboats launching to save lives in the heart of the city. However, in the last 24 years since the service began, the four stations have launched 20,655 times and saved 732 lives. Tower is the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat station with the crew moving into their brand-new floating base next to Waterloo Bridge in 2023.
The Royal couple arrived on station via the charity’s E class lifeboat with volunteers, RNLI Commander Storm Smith-Suckoo and Crewmember Laura Lewis, where they were welcomed by the RNLI’s Deputy Director of Lifesaving Operations Ryan Hall and Tower’s Station Manager Kevin Maynard. They enjoyed a ‘brew with the crew’, and the charity’s Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager, Michelle Johnson, where they heard firsthand about the type of rescues undertaken along the Thames, and how the charity provides training, equipment and support to deal with challenging situations.
Kevin said: “Welcoming Their Royal Highnesses to our station is an incredible privilege. They heard from our crew about the work they do, both to rescue people from the Thames and to prevent people from putting themselves at risk. One of our volunteers Laura Lewis was able to share the work she has been doing with the RNLI’s Welfare team to improve care and support for our crews. I am immensely proud of all our dedicated crew.”
Following their conversations with the crew, Their Royal Highnesses met with RNLI lifeguards who will be helping to keep the public safe at The University Boat Race on the Thames next month. The Prince and Princess heard about their preparations, and how the RNLI lifeguards are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, having kept Britain’s beaches safe since 2001.
HRH The Prince and Princess of Wales meeting RNLI lifeguards
Image: RNLI/Nathan Williams
Kester Sheppard, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for East Dorset, said: “As well as our highly visible lifesaving work on beaches, our lifeguards also travel to the Thames once a year to support The University Boat Race. They operate rescue boats along with our lifeboat crews and bring their prevention and water safety expertise to the banks of the Thames. A different operating environment offers partnership working and gives our lifeguards broader skills to take back to their coastal work when our beaches come on service for the summer.”
Whilst at station Their Royal Highnesses also met with the RNLI’s City of London Committee Vice President, Frank Moxon and Treasurer Julie Lithgow OBE.
As a charity, the RNLI is grateful for all the incredible support from our fundraisers and supporters. The fundraising activity carried out by the RNLI’s City of London Committee provides vital lifesaving funds.
Frank said: “I’ve been involved in fundraising for the RNLI on the Thames for many years now. I have seen the service grow and have watched with immense pride the numbers of lives saved rise year-on-year. This is only possible due to the generosity of the public, and our fundraising team works year-round to ensure that the training, equipment and accommodation for our wonderful lifeboat crews allows them to keep saving those in difficulty in and on the Thames.”
The RNLI works closely with partners such as the Ascension Trust to prevent drowning and as part of the visit, we were delighted to also introduce Their Royal Highnesses to volunteers from Bridgewatch, a partnership which provides support for vulnerable people near the water in central London.
