Tynemouth RNLI celebrates 200 years saving lives

Mark Taylor said his father inspired him to become deputy coxswain at Tynemouth RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Tynemouth has kicked off a year of events to celebrate its 200th anniversary "saving lives at sea".

Members of the Tynemouth lifeboat station took to the water on Monday to mark the occasion.

Mark Taylor, deputy coxswain at Tynemouth lifeboat, who has been volunteering for 15 years and is a second-generation rescuer, said the station had saved more than 850 lives over two centuries.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge will be lit up yellow on Monday night to mark the anniversary.

'Inspiring'

Mr Taylor, whose father was on the RNLI crew in Blyth for 40 years, said: "I grew up looking at him, inspired by him, wanting to replicate him."

Since being founded in 1824, the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards across the country have saved more than 144,000 lives nationally.

"It's amazing to think that I'm now part of that and hopefully inspiring the next generation of lifeboat men and women," he added.

"Bringing someone home, whose family didn't think was coming home, is the best thing in the world."

Crew member James Waters works an office job alongside volunteering with the RNLI

RNLI Tynemouth crew member James Waters, who lives in North Shields, has been with the organisation for seven years.

He also works an office job and said his company has been very flexible with him having to leave "at the drop of a hat" when he gets called to a rescue.

Mr Waters said: "As soon as the pager goes, everything stops and I have to go out and gear myself up to go rescue a stranger.

"When I saved my first life it was like a feeling I had never felt before, it was just amazing."

Alison Byers said there will be a programme of events throughout the year

Alison Byers, regional engagement lead for the RNLI, said the organisation wants to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters. 

She added: "We're an independent charity powered by our volunteers and our supporters.

"I think it's just incredible."