200 Years of the RNLI

The RNLI was founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, who after witnessing dozens of shipwrecks off the coast of the Isle of Man petitioned for a volunteer service which could be called to aid those in need at sea.

Six years later, in 1830, a lifeboat was established with a volunteer team and a boat, kept near Havre des Pas. In 1884, the RNLI station in St. Helier was built at Albert Quay, where it still serves as the Island’s RNLI headquarters. In 1969 a second station was established, this time on St. Catherine’s north side of Gibraltar Rock. 

Across the UK, Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, the RNLI is formed primarily of volunteers driven by selflessness, skill and courage. These volunteer teams have saved in excess of 144,000 lives at sea with the help of public donations to fund the service and equip volunteers with the training and tools required to keep themselves and the public safe at sea. 

The Jersey Post stamp issue features imagery from the RNLI’s own library depicting key moments in the Island’s RNLI history: 

• The first stamp of the issue (60p) features one of the fastest lifeboats in the RNLI fleet, the Atlantic 85 RNLB Eric W Wilson, named after its benefactor Mrs. Winifred Madge Wilson’s late husband.
• On the second stamp (98p) collectors will enjoy an image of St Heliers Tamar class lifeboat with Corbière Lighthouse in the background. The Tamar lifeboat is an all-weather craft that sets high standards in terms of safety and technology.
• The third stamp (98p) shows Jersey’s RNLI lifeguards typical setup at La Braye Beach where they protect beachgoers from hazards such as rip tides. The lifeboat, Howard D (£1.65), caused a stir when it arrived in 1937 as the first ever motorized lifeboat on the Island.
• The £2.15 stamp depicts a dramatic scene of the rescue of the yacht Fanny after which rescuers were awarded Gold and Silver Medals by the RNLI for their acts of bravery before the organization was established in Jersey.
• The final stamp of the issue (£2.95) is the portrait of Sir William Hillary, who founded the RNLI in 1824 after witnessing dozens of shipwrecks around the Isle of Man.

The stamp issue also includes a Prestige Stamps Booklet featuring further information about Jersey RNLI and including three complete sets of the stamps set in exclusive stamp panes. 

Jersey Post's commemorative stamp issue is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the RNLI, the generations of courageous volunteers and the generosity of those who give to support their vital life-saving work.