Member's statement: RNLI: 200th Anniversary

Member's statement by Ms Diane Forsythe on 4 March 2024.

MLA

Ms Diane Forsythe

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

4 March 2024

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

RNLI: 200th Anniversary

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4253989

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Today, I mark the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which is dedicated to saving lives at sea. As we sit, a service of thanksgiving is taking place in Westminster Abbey, with local representatives in attendance, including the president of Kilkeel RNLI, Merwyn Hanna MBE. I thank all involved in the organisation for their commitment and dedicated service. Representing South Down and with family connections to the sea for generations, I truly value the brave work of the RNLI. There are two RNLI stations in my constituency: Kilkeel and Newcastle. Kilkeel RNLI, the closest to me, was set up in the 1980s. Kilkeel's busy and vibrant fishing industry drove the need for a local station and lifeboats. Teams of committed volunteers and staff have worked for all these years and have saved many lives through the Kilkeel station. Another important role that they play is in the recovery, for their families, of those who are, sadly, lost at sea. On 14 February 2002, the Tullaghmurray Lass left Kilkeel harbour to fish and did not return. Three generations of the Greene family were lost that day. With an extensive search over the following weeks, the Kilkeel RNLI team played a key part in the recovery. That devastation tore the heart from the local community. Just two years later, another tragedy struck, with the loss of Colin Donnelly. Again, Kilkeel RNLI played a critical role in the recovery. We will remember those families always. A seafarers memorial is in place at Kilkeel harbour to remember all those who were lost. Newcastle RNLI also played a critical role over the years. In 1843, when 16 fishing boats left Newcastle and Annalong in calm waters, a sudden change in the weather resulted in 73 people dying and 14 boats being sunk. The RNLI played a key role, and a silver medal was awarded to member George Thompson for the lives that he saved that day. Both stations in my constituency are committed. They are cross-community and have male and female crew members. There is no discrimination in lives lost at sea. The RNLI should be commended for that. For seafarers from South Down, their last hope is often the RNLI volunteers, who risk their lives for others. The lifeboat crews, the onshore support, the volunteers, fundraisers and all who are involved should stand proudly today as the entire community salutes their work to save lives. After 200 years, I thank them all and send best wishes for the future of the RNLI as it continues to be dedicated to saving lives at sea.

432 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:38 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification