RNLI 200 Voices

Captain of the student rescue service at Atlantic College from 1971 to 1972, Dagfinn Paust recalls the teenagers who saved lives on a treacherous stretch of coast The old RNLI lifeboat station at the innovative Atlantic College in South Wales was run by a student crew for 50 years. Dagfinn Paust, a student at the college from 1970 to 1972, shares his memories of college life, about which he’s co-written a book with fellow ex-students Phil Green and Anne Perkins, called ‘Trained and Trusted – what teenagers can do if you let them.’ Dagfinn shares a rescue he’ll never forget, when he saved the life of a young boy cut off by the tide. It was a rescue conducted in darkness, in rough seas and when he was just 18 years old. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Putting lifeboat crew through their paces in thunder, lightning, and rain – it’s all in a day’s work for RNLI Sea Survival Centre trainer Matias Wapinski From training as a rescue swimmer in Argentina, to being a dive instructor in Iceland and a lifeguard in the UK, Matias Wapinski’s credentials are impressive. They’re skills he puts into practice to train volunteer RNLI crew from all over the UK and Ireland, in the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College. He talks about the determination and commitment of the crew he meets – and about how sometimes the training pushes them to face their worst fears. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

How do you find a lone rower who’s in a small boat? In the Outer Hebrides? At night? During John Maclennan’s 25 years as an RNLI crew member, Stornoway volunteers saved 122 lives. He has battled hurricanes, and knows how it feels to be on a boat when it falls the height of a house. But one rescue in particular has stayed with him. An 80-year-old man was missing after he had gone out alone in a small boat on Loch Shell. The crew had searched all night, and their hopes were fading. Then John decided to turn on the searchlight one last time… 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

There's a reindeer in the kitchen – what are we going to do?! Settle down for The Big Christmas Rescue, read by Chris Jarvis It's Christmas Eve, and Santa's in trouble. Before a reindeer and the RNLI can save the day, they're going to need the help of a very special child. Make your child’s bedtime extra magical by ordering a personalised copy of this beautifully illustrated story book and transform them into the main character of an exciting lifeboat adventure. When you order the book, you can specify the child’s name, gender and skin tone and they’ll be made into the hero, who - along with Rudolph and the RNLI - saves Santa. And Christmas Day. Order your personalised copy here or via the link below. Every pound and euro of profit helps save more lives. https://shop.rnli.org/products/the-big-christmas-rescue Written by Rory Stamp Illustrated by Hannah Lawson 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

In 1838, Grace Darling became the first woman to be awarded an RNLI medal. Descendant Ken Skehan shares her story Ken Skehan is immensely proud of his internationally famous ancestor, Grace Darling. He shares stories of her life, from her hard existence living in a lighthouse, to her rescue of survivors from the shipwrecked Forfarshire in 1838. Grace’s part in the rescue thrust her into the spotlight and even gained her the attention of Queen Victoria, but it wasn’t recognition Grace cared for. ‘Duty before self’ was part of her DNA – a characteristic shared by RNLI volunteers. Learn more about Grace Darling. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Broadcaster and journalist Ben Shephard talks about what inspired him to write the book Humble Heroes: Inspirational stories of hope, heart and humanity Fascinated by ordinary people who quietly take it upon themselves to make the world a better place, Ben Shephard has written a book to record their stories. Among the humble heroes celebrated by Ben are RNLI crew from Port Isaac, where Ben spent much of his childhood. To Ben, the lifeboat station and volunteers are the heart and soul of the village. Hear him talk about a moving rescue which remains in his thoughts. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by RNLI’s Katie Beney Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Meet the man who has served the RNLI for 50 years – a quarter of its existence Richard Adams joined the RNLI on the 29 May 1973. He left school on a Thursday, started at the RNLI the following Tuesday, and has been at the charity ever since! He talks about the changes he’s seen, and about the things that have remained the same – such as the stapler he has kept on his desk since 1974. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by RNLI’s Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The most successful sailor in Olympic history on the importance of never giving up He might have won multiple Olympic medals, but British sailor Sir Ben Ainslie still gets caught out by the sea. Hear him talk about being rescued by the RNLI, and the necessity of having grit and determination to get through challenging conditions – traits he shares with lifeboat crew. An RNLI ambassador, Sir Ben also reflects on his lifelong connection to the charity, from being rescued with his family as a child, to the laying of the foundation stone at the RNLI College in 2004 and a memorable visit to Bembridge Lifeboat Station. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Meet the Devon fundraiser who’s been sailing for nearly 100 years Elaine Gray began sailing when she was just 3 years old. Her love of the water remains a constant, and even at 100, Elaine still paddles in her kayak around Salcombe Harbour. Generations have followed in her footsteps – her daughter is a keen sailor, and her grandson is part of the crew at Salcombe Lifeboat Station. In 2022, Elaine had planned to do a kayaking challenge to raise funds for the RNLI, but was thwarted by bad weather. After this recording, in September 2023, Elaine picked up her paddle once more. Undeterred and another year sprightlier, the centenarian got back in the water, kayaking from Whitestrand to the old lifeboat station at South Sands. Alongside her was the Salcombe RNLI lifeboat. And on board, watching on proudly, was her grandson, Jeff. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Paul Weston, lifesaver and singer with RNLI Portishead’s sea shanty band, on singing for HM King Charles III When Paul Weston joined the Portishead crew 15 years ago, he thought it would be a great way to get out on the water and meet some new people. But he never imagined that it would lead to representing the RNLI at the Coronation Concert. During lockdown, six sea-going Portishead volunteers separately sang and recorded a sea shanty in hope of lifting their spirits. When they edited their parts together, and realised they sounded rather good, The 85ers was born. Named after the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, the shanty band went from recording songs in their own homes to performing at various events, including the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival and – their greatest surprise of all – the Coronation Concert. In this episode, hear Paul talk about how it felt to sing for the HM King Charles III. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Losing a family member to drowning is shocking enough. But it’s even more shocking when the person is fit, prepared and confident around the water. Two sisters explain what happened to their younger brother Haydn was no novice around the water. The 23-year-old was a sailor, a scuba diver and a paddleboarder, and knew about the tides. Which made things all the more unbelievable for sisters Megan and Brogan Griffiths when they received the news that their younger brother had drowned near Hoylake. Megan and Brogan – who took part in the RNLI’s Mayday Mile in their brother’s memory – say that if drowning can happen to someone like Haydn, it can happen to anyone. Hear about their campaigning water safety work and the wish they have as a result of the tragedy. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Hatti Mellor Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Around 140 people drown in UK and Irish waters each year. Guy Addington MBE explains the RNLI’s efforts to reduce that number Sadly, drowning isn’t something that only happens at sea – rivers and inland waterways claim lives too. Which is why the RNLI has five inland lifeboat stations and another four on the Thames. Regional Water Safety Lead – and RNLI Margate Helm – Guy Addington highlights the charity’s measures to reduce the number of fatalities, such as the throwline initiative. Guy attended the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Hear him talk also about that moving experience, and about a downright brutal one – showering outside in cold water for a whole year. Why did he do such a thing? 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Darren Crew Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The photographer who’s also a crew member – Nigel Millard on knowing when to put down his camera and pick up a rope There’s a reason why Nigel Millard’s photos of lifeboat rescues capture just what it’s like to be a crew member – Nigel is one of them. The award-winning photographer has been capturing the selfless work of RNLI volunteers for over 25 years, but wearing two ‘helmets’ takes careful judgement. Hear why sometimes the camera has to stay in the bag. Nigel’s dramatic shots and candid studies can be seen in the books The Lifeboat: Courage on our Coasts, and Face to Face: Ocean Portraits. But which photo is the Torbay crew member's favourite? And why? Learn more about Nigel’s work here, or visit: https://www.nigelmillard.com/ 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The lady with RNLI blood in her veins – Rye fundraiser Betty Broocks on why she devoted 55 years to the charity 15 November marks the anniversary of the 1928 Rye Harbour lifeboat tragedy, in which the 17-strong crew of the Mary Stanford lifeboat drowned. A memorial service in honour of the crew takes place every year – the church packed with people, with more spilling outside. 200 Voices hears from Betty Broocks, 91, who lost family members in the tragedy. She was born just 3 years later, and the legacy of that loss drove Betty to become not simply a fundraiser, but now officially the RNLI’s President of all the Fundraisers. Betty is also the founder of the Lifeboat Ladies – a group of crew’s wives dedicated to saving lives at sea. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

How do you design a memorial that symbolises 200 years of sacrifice? Sculptor Sam Holland shares the inspiration for her beacon of hope There are numerous local memorials that pay tribute to those who have lost their lives at sea in the cause of saving others. But until 2009, there was no single memorial. The brief for the RNLI Memorial sculpture in Poole stated that it should celebrate those both lost and saved, along with those who go to the rescue. Sam Holland - the sculptor behind the memorial - reveals the idea behind her design. Beneath Sam’s sculpture are the names of over 800 volunteers lost since the early 1800s. New names are still coming to light, and being added. In most cases, those listed saved the lives of others before losing their own. The names are exposed yet resistant to the elements, much like the lifeboat crews who venture out, knowing that ‘With courage, nothing is impossible’. See the list of those remembered, or visit the page using the link below: https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/rnli-memorial/names 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

40 years on from the helicopter crash in which he lost his family, Howard Goddard remembers the man who helped save six lives, including his own In 1983, 11-year-old Howard Goddard lost his entire family when, in thick fog, the helicopter they were flying in crashed into the sea off the Scilly Isles. Howard reveals how he and five others survived the crash, how the St. Mary’s RNLI lifeboat crew found them, and what the RNLI means to him and his two sons. Matt Lethbridge, the highly decorated coxswain of the lifeboat that day, sadly passed away in 2010. After the crash, Matt gave Howard a special gift. 40 years on from the tragedy, it’s the first thing Howard sees when he gets up each new day. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Darren Crew Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Connor Freeman remembers Tyler Westlake When the sea started to get choppy while Tyler Westlake and his two friends were fishing, they decided to move to a better spot. But before they had the chance to, out of nowhere, a huge wave crashed on top of them. Tyler’s friends managed to stay on the rocks. But when they looked around, Tyler was gone. RNLI crews did everything they could to find Tyler. But after a 2-day search, Tyler’s best friend, Connor Freeman, received the heartbreaking news that no friend should ever have to hear. In this episode, Connor tells the devastating story of how he lost his best pal to the sea. But he also explains how Tyler’s story has given him a newfound appreciation for selfless RNLI volunteers. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

In 1942, a quirk of fate helped Dennis Lendrem survive a torpedo attack that his two friends did not. 81 years on, his son reveals how he reunited Dennis, Jack and Jock When, during the Second World War, the call of nature led Able Seaman Dennis Lendrem to the upper deck of HMS Medway, it turned out to be a moment of chance that would save his life. After two torpedoes hit, the order was given to abandon ship. Dennis jumped into the water, but survived. His two friends – ‘Jack’ and ‘Jock’ – did not. After Dennis died in 2003, his ashes were scattered at sea by RNLI Hartlepool. In the year that Dennis would have turned 100, hear why Dennis’s son – also called Dennis – decided to add ‘Pop’s’ name to a lifeboat as part of the RNLI’s Launch a Memory campaign. And learn how it has brought families, united by the same tragedy, together. Learn more about the RNLI's extraordinary efforts in the Second World War in a special episode of Saving Lives at Sea, presented by Dermot O'Leary. Search Series 9: Episode 1 on BBC iPlayer or visit https://tinyurl.com/4cryn54u 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Acclaimed musician Phil Coulter on the writing of an RNLI anthem When his brother tragically drowned while windsurfing in Lough Swilly, Ireland, in 1984, musician Phil Coulter was determined to make a change. He was instrumental in the setting up of Lough Swilly Lifeboat Station. And through raising funds and spreading awareness of the devastating drowning tragedies that had happened at the lough – tragedies that also included his sister – the station opened 3 years later. In 1989, Phil wrote his song ‘Home from the Sea’ – which has become a much-loved RNLI anthem. In this episode, Phil shares his inspiration for it, along with his thoughts about RNLI crews both past and present. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Kevin Kirkpatrick’s family have been volunteering at Longhope RNLI for 150 years. How does he feel about his daughter carrying on the tradition? 2024 won’t just be a big year for the RNLI – it’ll be a big year for Longhope Lifeboat Station too, as it reaches its 150th ‘birthday’. In all that time, a member of the Kirkpatrick family has been among the crew. For former Longhope Coxswain Kevin Kirkpatrick, the RNLI has been a huge part of his life ever since he started volunteering in his early twenties. Today, his daughter is keeping the tradition going. As well as speaking about the emotions that this stirs up, Kevin relives some of his most memorable rescues. He also reveals that the sense of togetherness that was formed after the disaster in 1969 - in which all eight lifeboat crew members were lost - is still felt in the community to this day. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Not all museums are musty and dusty. Since its renovation, Whitby Lifeboat Museum has been drawing a crowd. Its curator tells us why In the first year after its renovation, Whitby Lifeboat Museum saw over 20,000 visitors. New audiences have been drawn by visual and interactive storytelling as well as painstakingly restored artefacts. Museum Curator Neil Williamson reveals his three favourite exhibits, including a suitcase that belonged to Mary Roberts, a survivor of the Titanic. It wouldn’t be the only disaster that Mary and her suitcase would survive... 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

When winds pushed paddleboarder Sheena Thompson further and further out to sea, she shouted to her husband, who was on shore. Worryingly, he couldn’t hear her cries for help While at the beach near Wick in Scotland, Sheena Thompson took her new paddleboard into the water, with the intention of staying in for just a few minutes. But the wind was much stronger than she anticipated, and she quickly started drifting out to sea. With no lifejacket or mobile phone, and too far out for her husband to hear her shouting for help, Sheena was in trouble. Hear Sheena relive the terrifying moment when she lost control of her paddleboard. She also shares important guidance for staying safe on a paddleboard – things she wishes she had known before heading out that day. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by James Dwyer Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

In 200 years, the RNLI has seen many changes. We hear from the man who played a key role in transforming it into the organisation we know today From launching the concept of prevention to pushing for cutting-edge technology, Michael Vlasto OBE made his mark on the RNLI during his 38-year career, which included 16 years as Operations Director. In this episode, Michael reflects on how the organisation evolved under his watch – a period that would see the introduction of the charity’s lifeguard service, hovercrafts, and lifeboats on the Thames. During this time, the RNLI would go from being a European lifeboats service to an international lifesaving organisation. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Tynemouth artist and Coxswain Mark Taylor on his twin inspirations – his late father and the north-east coastline For artist and Coxswain Mark Taylor, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. He takes great inspiration from his late father, who was a successful artist and helped save lives at sea on Blyth lifeboat. Not only did Mark grow up watching his father race down to the lifeboat station, he also enjoyed watching him paint. This ignited Mark’s love for the sea and north-east coastline – both of which went on to have a huge influence on his career. In this episode, Mark talks about how he continues his father’s legacy through his seascape paintings and work on the Severn class lifeboats, and how he felt after his most memorable rescue. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Since RNLI lifeguards started patrolling in 2001, they’ve saved over 1,900 lives. Peter Dawes explains how he helped them do it RNLI lifeguards patrol over 240 beaches around Britain, Ireland and the islands that surround us. But this wasn’t always the case. The charity’s General Manager for Lifeguard Operations, Peter Dawes, reveals how the service came about, and explains how the RNLI has evolved from a position of importing expertise to exporting it. Many lifeguards work the fabled ‘endless summer’, and it’s not unusual to find an RNLI-trained lifeguard keeping vigil on the other side of the world. Hear why it’s not always the best swimmer who makes the best lifeguard. And discover how Peter once found himself stranded in a tree over a raging river. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Darren Crew Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

When his plane’s engine lost power, Duncan Laisney had to ditch into the sea Former RAF Tornado pilot Duncan Laisney had never trained to ditch an aircraft. So, when an engine failure during a training flight meant he had to ditch into the sea near Jersey, he faced a scary realisation. After Duncan – and co-pilot Paul – started their descent, everything happened incredibly quickly. In 2½ minutes they were in the water. A surge of waves enveloped the plane, and after they climbed into their liferaft they watched the plane sink nose-first – leaving them in the eerie quietness of the empty sea. Hear Duncan relive the moments before landing. And discover how he and Paul lived to tell the tale. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Why working in the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre has given Janine Groves the confidence to tackle any job. Apart from catching spiders When Janine Groves joined the RNLI at 19, she had no idea about what’s involved in building a boat. But she quickly learned the ropes, working her way up to Section Leader and now Production Support Manager on the Isle of Wight, where she leads the team who build, repair, and maintain our inshore fleet. Hear Janine talk about how proud she feels to be part of an organisation that saves lives, and how her inspiring career as a woman in engineering has given her – and her daughters – the confidence to achieve (almost) anything they put their minds to. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Jasmin Downs Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The 72-year-old RNLI lifeguard who’s still going strong Meet Chris Lewis MBE, the RNLI’s oldest lifeguard. When Chris tried to become an RNLI lifeguard, the rules of the day meant that he was too old. Undeterred, Chris passed the RNLI’s stringent fitness tests and has never looked back. At 72, why does he still do it? And what advice would he give to other aspiring lifeguards who might like to do ‘the best job in the world'? Chris has been keeping people safe on Bournemouth Beach for 58 years. For his incredible lifesaving work, Chris was recently awarded an official Guinness World Records title: the longest career as a lifeguard. Interested in being a frontline lifesaver? Like Chris, you can help keep beachgoers safe. Find out how to become a lifeguard and learn more about what’s involved in this unique and rewarding job. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Darren Crew Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Should you suddenly find yourself in very cold water, your survival could be determined within the first few seconds. Pioneering researcher Professor Mike Tipton MBE explains why Since the Titanic sank in 1912, hypothermia has largely been considered the main danger facing those exposed to very cold water. But sea-survival expert Mike Tipton’s research has revealed that the prime threat is actually cold water shock. Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so the risk is significant most of the year. The average UK and Ireland sea temperature is 12°C – rivers are colder, even in summer. Professor Tipton shares the simple tips that could one day save your life. Learn more at RNLI.org/safety/float Watch Professor Tipton’s video about the science behind Float to Live. Or follow the links: https://rnli.org/safety/float https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bLRr6OOhn0 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Darren Crew Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

In 1914, the WW1 hospital ship Rohilla was wrecked off the Whitby coast. Pete Thomson MBE tells us about one of the biggest rescues in RNLI history When a World War One hospital ship broke into three off the Yorkshire coast, the weather was so bad that lifeboats couldn’t launch directly into the sea. Not to be defeated, RNLI volunteers dragged one lifeboat a quarter of a mile, and lowered another down a 60m cliff. Ex-coxswain and former Whitby Lifeboat Museum Curator Pete Thomson – whose father witnessed the 3-day rescue operation – reveals the fate of the 228 on board the Rohilla. He even knows what happened to the ship’s cat. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

How do you search for someone in the middle of the sea in the middle of the night? We asked Tenby lifeboat crew member, Ben James Research has shown that when one of our senses is compromised, others become more heightened. Tenby crew member Ben James talks about the challenges of finding someone at night, and about how the kit that crews rely on includes eyes and ears adjusting to the inky blackness. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Veteran lifeboat Coxswain/Mechanic Nicky King on why Wells RNLI is set to save lives well into the future At the last station to launch boats using horses, there’s a brand new lifeboat in town. And it’s in the care of Nicky King, who’s served at Wells-next-the-Sea for 34 years. Nicky introduces us to the Shanonn class lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh that bears thousands of loved ones’ names – part of the RNLI’s Launch a Memory initiative. Life in Norfolk may move at a gentle pace (or so Nicky says), but all that changes when lives are on the line. You’ll soon understand why, in the gripping story of a shout in which 2 lives were saved in 5 minutes. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Meet the 11-year-old lifeguard-in-the-making who saved a boy from drowning Proud RNLI member Finley loves the stack of Storm Force magazines in his bedroom. But it was on the beach in Cornwall that our water safety tips really leapt off the page. Remembering the Float to Live message shared by Stormy Stan and his cartoon gang, Finley was able to spot the signs of someone in danger and calmly work out what to do. In this episode, Finley tells us what it means to be part of the RNLI’s club for kids, and how a gift from his nan turned him into a lifesaver. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Isobel Noctor Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Why Cardigan RNLI’s lifeboat was named after the Paralympian Gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson can’t remember a time when she didn’t know about the lifeboats. So, when she prepared to race in the London Marathon, family connections and childhood memories made the RNLI the obvious choice for fundraising. Before long, a letter would arrive with an unforgettable invitation. From the streets of London to the Ceredigion coast, Tanni explains why she feels in awe of the crews and proud of the Atlantic 75 lifeboat that saved lives in her name. You’ll also discover why one memorable launch became a turning point for the RNLI’s history in Wales. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Nick McCaffrey – aerial videographer for TV’s Wild Isles – on life at the RNLI’s most northerly lifeboat station Sometimes, the wild weather around the Shetlands is a sight to see, and can make Aith Lifeboat Crew Member Nick McCaffrey feel like he is in the middle of Armageddon. Nick has experienced 100mph winds, and even on a calm, flat day, he warns, it’s easy to get caught out. The weather isn’t the only spectacle though, and sightings of dolphins, basking sharks and even killer whales are not uncommon. Nick’s ‘day job’ as a videographer made him the ideal person to capture the wildlife for David Attenborough’s series, Wild Isles. Let him introduce you to ‘the locals’. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

RNLI crews have been saving lives for two hundred years. For more than half of that time, a member of the Grant family has been among them In 2024, Doug Grant’s family will have served with the RNLI for a grand total of 125 years – a history decorated with award-winning rescues. Kessock volunteer Doug talks about a proud family tradition spanning four generations, starting with his grandfather, Jack. If Jack were alive today, how would he react if he were to learn that his grandson Johnny is now also part of the RNLI family, as a coxswain/mechanic at Wick? 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Meet the former Tobermory volunteer called away from her own wedding RNLI crew drop everything at a moment’s notice to answer the call for help – even on their wedding day. Former Tobermory volunteer Rose Skelton reflects on her big day. Her wife’s family had travelled 4,000 miles for the occasion. RNLI crew members formed a guard of honour. And pipers escorted the newlyweds down the Mull streets. Then, just as she was getting ready for her wedding ceilidh, Rose’s pager went off… 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Former Lyme Regis lifesaver Ken Gollop on the pre-launch adrenaline felt by every crew member Some things are just in the blood. Like many RNLI volunteers, Ken Gollop is one of a long line of lifesavers from the same family. His great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all members of the old pulling lifeboat in Lyme until 1932. So when Ken and his brother joined up, they were doing what came naturally. Hear about his instinctive nightly ritual – a habit he couldn’t shake even after he left the crew. Before Ken went to sleep at night, it wasn’t his slippers that he kept by the bed. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

How does it feel to send your own daughter on a rescue mission? Bill Dewsbury should know – both his daughters are on the RNLI Flint crew When the pager goes off at 3am, Flint Lifeboat Deputy Launch Authority Bill Dewsbury isn’t the only one who has to get out the door as fast as possible – both of his daughters do too. Bill talks about his family’s commitment to the RNLI, and of having to leave the dad/daughter relationship at home. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The sports stars who save lives: Paddy McLaughlin, the man behind the RNLI’s partnership with Ireland’s GAA, on the impact it’s made After a devastating drowning in County Cork, RNLI Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin devised a way to reach young people with vital water safety messages. Hear Paddy talk about the power of partnering with the Gaelic Athletics Association, life as crew and how community engagement is helping to inspire the next generation of lifesavers. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats are all named after rivers. Naval Architect Peter Eyre explains what’s so special about the Shannon Peter Eyre talks about the challenges of designing a lifeboat capable of heading into extreme conditions – a lifeboat that can even self-right. Above all, he tells us, it’s about engineering the safety of the crew. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

A former Salcombe coxswain recalls the day his lifeboat capsized A big sea. Huge, breaking waves. When former RNLI Coxswain Frank Smith and crew went to the rescue of divers in distress, sea conditions were dire. Frank relives the hair-raising, disorientating moment that the lifeboat turned upside down in the waves, and recounts the search for a man washed overboard… 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Three years after the Titanic, 1200 lives were lost when the RMS Lusitania was torpedoed. 200 Voices talks to the grandson of the last living survivor On 7 May, 1915, en route from New York to Liverpool, the luxury passenger liner Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine off the coast of Cork. Lusitania sank within 18 minutes. Yet, against the odds, 3-month-old Audrey Lawson Johnston survived. Audrey’s grandson, Mark Hudson, recounts what happened that day. When RNLI Courtmacsherry volunteers rowed for more than 3 hours to reach the area, it would be the start of the family’s long association with the RNLI. Audrey remained an ardent RNLI fundraiser all her life, helping to raise enough money for a lifeboat at New Quay. It wouldn’t be the only lifeboat funded by the family. And when, in September 2023, Audrey LJ was retired from service, Mark and 20 others embarked on a fitting farewell. The money raised by the Tour de Dyfed and West Glamorgan will be shared equally by the lifeboat stations at New Quay and Tower. To donate, visit Mark’s JustGiving page or follow the link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rnli-tour-de-dyfed-2023 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

No stranger to mammoth challenges, globe-trotting sailor Dee Caffari reveals how the RNLI is planning to move to a more sustainable future Not all of us live close to the sea. But we are all connected to it. Hear about the RNLI’s aims to lessen its environmental impact from professional sailor Dee Caffari, who is Chair of the RNLI’s Sustainability Special Interest Group. As the RNLI looks to the next 200 years, Dee talks about the charity’s ambitious plans. What will future search and rescue services look like? Read more about the RNLI’s targets here or follow the link: https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2021/july/here-today-here-tomorrow-sustainability-at-the-rnli 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

There are 238 RNLI lifeboat stations, and Harry Bott set out to visit all of them on a 96-year-old Sunbeam motorcycle Like all the best adventures, it started with a treasure map. This map just happened to be printed on a tea towel. The map – pinpointing all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations – led fundraiser Harry Bott to a granite barn in Cornwall. Inside, rested his great-grandfather’s 1926 Sunbeam Model 1 motorcycle – untouched for 67 years, and almost half as old as the RNLI itself. Harry, with help from his father, set about restoring the Sunbeam before embarking on an 8,000-mile trip around the coastlines of Britain and Ireland, visiting every RNLI lifeboat station along the way. As the donations poured in, his original fundraising target would be left in pieces. But would the Sunbeam be left in pieces too? 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Artist Kurt Jackson on what moved him to celebrate the work of the RNLI Ever since 8 members of the Penlee Lifeboat crew were lost at sea in 1981, the original Penlee RNLI boathouse has been left just as it was. Cornwall-based artist Kurt Jackson shares what it was like to step inside the listed building as he set out to portray the poignant scene inside. His paintings formed part of the RNLI Cornwall exhibition, 75 pieces that capture lifeboats nestled into the coastline, as well as lifeguards watching over local beaches so familiar to Kurt. Hear how the raw and natural beauty of the Cornish landscape has influenced his work. A selection Kurt's RNLI paintings – including the studies produced at the old Penlee Lifeboat Station – will be exhibited at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth from March 2024. View samples from the RNLI Cornwall collection View paintings from the RNLI Penlee series RNLI Cornwall catalogue Or follow the links: https://www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com/rnli/ https://www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com/penlee/ https://www.kurtjackson.com/news-020922/ To learn more about Kurt, visit kurtjackson.com 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

RNLI lifeboats venture up to 100 miles offshore. But some reach as far as Uruguay Dave Whiddon has rowed the Atlantic, spending 60 days in a cramped boat to raise funds for the RNLI. But he's always looking for the next challenge. After 6 years in the Royal Marines, life landed him on Dorset shores as he helped to design the first training courses at the RNLI College. Listen as Dave takes you through his fascinating career. His changing roles chart the development of the RNLI’s international work, which includes sending retired lifeboats overseas to help fellow rescuers save more lives in their home countries. You may enjoy this episode with a cup of tea – just watch out for those flying fish… 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Poet and Lough Derg Lifeboat Helm Eleanor Hooker reads her 200th anniversary poem, and reveals the inspiration behind it When Eleanor Hooker was invited to write a poem to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, she knew a sugary tribute wasn’t her style. It couldn’t capture the tangle of raw emotions she’d witnessed first-hand on lifeboat rescues. Instead, she drew on her own experience of being saved. Find a quiet moment to listen to this episode; let Eleanor’s evocative storytelling transport you to the dark waters of Lough Derg and the calm she found there, floating. Hear how the crew insulate themselves against the ‘rabid creature’ that is fear – and find out why a smile is a priceless piece of crew kit. Read Eleanor’s full poem or follow this link: https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2023/october/200-voices-eleanor-hooker 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Khadija Shariff explains how the RNLI’s mission to save every one has helped save lives as far away as East Africa Made up of two main islands – Unguya and Pemba – Zanzibar is a country where daily life and livelihoods are focused around the sea. Khadija Shariff explains why so many lives here are touched by drowning, whether in headline disasters like the sinking of the Spice Islander ferry, or by the private family tragedies that go unrecorded. As Chair of the Panje Project, Khadija shares the hope she feels in its 10th year teaching children to swim and sharing sea safety advice. She celebrates the discoveries the team have made in partnership with the RNLI, which will help end preventable tragedies in other countries. Learn more about the work we're doing with the Panje Project to help keep children safe in and around Tanzanian waters. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by James Bonney Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

‘The crew saved a life – and it was mine.’ A Newbiggin volunteer on the camaraderie to be found down at the lifeboat station When Steve Harris first walked through the doors of the oldest operational lifeboat boathouse in the UK, it felt like coming home. Steve explains how the strong bonds between the crew have helped him through difficult times. And shares how it feels to be a custodian of a lifesaving legacy. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200