A new fund-raising event has been proposed to help support the dozens of non-RNLI affiliated independent lifeboat stations that help keep the public safe along the coast of the UK.

The Independent Lifeboat Crews of the United Kingdom will be joining forces on Friday 26 February to raise awareness for the Lifeboat stations that operate outside the auspices of the RNLI.

Throughout the UK there are around 60 lifeboat units that are not run by the RNLI and every year their volunteer crews respond to pager callouts in an identical way to the RNLI crews.

A spokesman for the event organisers, Michaela White, writes: ‘Training is to the same high standard and all rescue craft must adhere to the same strict code as the RNLI, there is only one major difference; The people you see out on the boats and in the watchroom windows are the whole team, not only responding to emergencies at sea and on the shores nearby, they are also responsible for their own fundraising, training and maintenance of equipment.’ 

The Independent Units within the UK have existed for many years and, they claim, are often mistaken for the RNLI. ‘The work of these units can go unnoticed,’ adds Ms White. ‘Or the public will donate to the RNLI thinking that this money is going towards their local Independent Unit.

‘Our hope is that by all celebrating being Independent on the same day we can highlight the number of non-RNLI units around raising awareness for our causes.

‘We urge everybody who has an Independent lifeboat unit around them to join in with the day by wearing something orange or holding an “orange” fundraising event and donating the funds raised to their local lifeboat unit.  

Independent units around the UK include:

East Sutherland Rescue Association
Loch Lomand- Luss Rescue
Port William Rescue
Lough Neagh Rescue
Lough Foyle Rescue
Bann Rescue
Humber Rescue
Hornsea Rescue
Ruswick Bay Rescue
Blyth Rescue
Caister Rescue
Hemsby Rescue
Mundesley Rescue
Sea Palling Rescue
Sidmouth Lifeboat
Stanswood Rescue
Solent Rescue
Hamble Rescue
Gosport Rescue
Portsea Rescue
Ryde Rescue
Freshwater Lifeboat
Sandown and Shanklin lifeboat
Newport rescue
Ferryside Lifeboat
Loughor Rescue
SARA Chepstow
SARA Sharpness
Portishead lifeboat
Burnham Rescue
Fleet Bay Rescue
Port William Rescue
Nith Rescue
Maryport Rescue
Duddon Rescue
Southport Rescue