RNLI 200th Alderney Celebration

Alderney held a Vin D'Honneur tribute to 200 years of the RNLI 

The report and photos came from David Nash in Alderney. 

To mark the 200th Anniversary of the founding of  the Royal National Lifeboat Institution -the RNLI-Alderney President William Tate and the Lieutenant-Governor both paid a special vote of thanks to the local volunteers who bravely go out into some of the most dangerous waters in the English Channel and risk their lives to save other mariners in distress. 

As well as these unsung heroes, Mr Tate gave special mention to the RNLI shore-based Guild who tirelessly raise funds all year round to support the national charity that keeps our Trent Class boat the 'Roy Barker 1' in service and ready to go on a 'shout' at a moment's notice, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Mr Tate reminded the gathering that the Lifeboat was an essential part of island community life because not only did it carry out rescues at sea but it was a mainstay of emergency transportation for the sick and injured to Guernsey when all other avenues of connectivity were closed due to bad weather. 

The Lieutenant-Governor said the lifeboats had always played a major part in his life as he had been brought up near the sea and said this year marked the 40^th anniversary of the re-establishment of Alderney's station and  he sincerely offered 'many congratulations to everyone involved in the service'. Alderney Coxswain Declan Gaudion replied on behalf of all the volunteers  and said they are proud to be of service to the people of Alderney and grateful for all the amazing support provided by the community of this small island.