Service celebrates 200 years of the RNLI on island

The ceremony was held on Douglas Promenade

The "tireless efforts" of Manx RNLI crews and volunteers have been celebrated in a service marking the 200th anniversary of the lifesaving organisation.

Sir William Hillary was inspired to take action after witnessing several shipwrecks off the Manx coast while living in Douglas.

Speaking at the event on the promenade in the capital, the city's mayor Natalie Byron-Teare said those involved had ensured the founder's legacy had been "kept alive".

Volunteer crews across five stations on the island have have taken part in 3,154 lifeboat launches and saved 1,665 lives over the two centuries.

The RNLI flag was raised on Douglas Promenade

The service brought together crews and volunteers past and present and an RNLI flag was flown on Douglas seafront.

During a speech, Ms Byron-Teare said the island had an "inextricable link to saving lives at sea" and, although the methods and equipment used had changed, crews still followed the principles set out 200 years ago.

"The rich nautical heritage of the island cannot be better be summed up by the lifesaving and fundraising work the RNLI carries out in Manx seas, and the countless hours given by volunteer lifeboat crews and our island community," she said.

Peter Washington highlighted the continued support of Manx people

Lifeboat operations manager for the Douglas station Peter Washington said the anniversary was a "unique chance" to "honour everyone who’s come before us".

He said Sir William must have witnessed some "traumatic" scenes where people lost their lives so although the organisation started from "tragic circumstances" it had developed into a positive force.

He also thanked the local community for their support as "more than anything that's what enables us to carry on doing this work" and "keep this legacy going".

There are five lifeboat stations located around the island's coast

Sir William Hillary petitioned the monarchy for a national lifeboat service to be established from his home at Fort Anne in the island's capital.

He put forward the proposal following his experience of shipwrecks around the island's coast, including that of HMS Racehorse in 1822.