RNLI 200 Voices

200 Voices might be a podcast, but when the composer of the theme music created the soundtrack, it was a movie that played in his head

The sea doesn’t want for drama. And with its ever-changing moods - from blissful calm to surging swells - it has long inspired musicians. In it, Jon Nicholls, composer of the 200 Voices soundtrack, finds beauty and danger in equal measure. Jon reveals how he went about creating the music for the ser...

The writer of One Crew – an RNLI history book – recounts some of the names and stories that time forgot

Over 200 years the RNLI has saved more than 144,000 lives. Many rescues and achievements are rightly celebrated, but some sit below the horizon. So when maritime historian Helen Doe set about the daunting task of capturing 2 centuries’ worth of lifesaving and loss, the author decided that it was time some of the lesser-known exam...

In Welsh, Porthdinllaen crew member and TV producer Mali Parry-Jones recalls the real-life drama of a call out to a sailor who’d suffered a stroke

Growing up on the Llyn Peninsula, Mali was always aware of her local lifeboat. Porthdinllaen RNLI was the constant backdrop to her childhood, whether she was hearing the maroons firing or pedalling her bike to spot the launch.

By 2012 Mali was a TV producer and new crew member, helping ...

The force behind the launch - Mark Smith on powering his crew to a Silver Medal rescue 

When his pager went off on 20 May 2021, Trearddur Bay RNLI Tractor Driver Mark Smith knew exactly what it was about. Moments before, he’d looked out of his window and spotted three surfers struggling in treacherous swell and waves. 

Mark talks about the incredibly challenging shout, which led to his fellow volunteer crew members receiving Silver...

The charity's founder was a man on a mission. In his words from 1823, we see the same guiding vision that’s saving lives 2 centuries later

On 28 February 1823, RNLI founder Sir William Hillary wrote his Appeal to the Nation. It set out his vision for a voluntary organisation, supported by charitable donations to save lives at sea. A vision so forward-thinking that its principles hold true today.

As Heritage Archive and Research Man...

Former Torbay RNLI Coxswain Keith Bower remembers a life-changing rescue 

On December 6, 1976, just before 1am, when most were sleeping soundly, Torbay RNLI’s then Acting Coxswain Keith Bower was woken by an urgent call for help. It marked the start of a shout for which Keith was awarded a Gold Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry. 

Faced with storm conditions, 12m waves and crew members suffering seasickness, Keith recalls the extreme ...

It was anything but a day of rest – a legendary St Davids Coxswain on his greatest test

For local fisherman Dai Chant, volunteering on the St Davids lifeboat was perhaps inevitable. On 26 February 1989, the Mayday call came in for his most dangerous shout – to lead the rescue of four fellow fishermen, as their trawler Stephanie Jane dragged perilously towards South Bishop Lighthouse.

Coxswain Chant takes us out into the boiling sea...

In an age of selfies, photographer Jack Lowe uses Victorian methods on his quest to capture lifeboat crew from every RNLI lifeboat station. He tells us why

For a 200-year-old institution, it’s fitting that photographer Jack Lowe’s Lifeboat Station Project allows us to see the modern work of the RNLI through a historical lens – quite literally. In 2015, Jack set out on a 10-year mission in his mobile darkroom – a converted ambulance...

The 20th Chairman of the RNLI reflects on why 200 years of lifesaving connects us all

What does it mean to be part of the RNLI? In his lifelong connection with our charity, Charles Hunter-Pease has been gathering stories to answer that question.

From his childhood hearing the maroons fire and awaiting the Filey lifeboat crew’s safe return, Charles has gone on to support the RNLI as both a businessman and a volunteer. When he became...

At the RNLI, we don’t just answer calls for help. Alison Murphy on the privilege of hearing from our supporters

Phone the RNLI to ask a question, make a donation or just have a chat, and you’ll speak to Alison or one of her 26-strong team. For more than 20 years, the Supporter Experience Manager has been one of the friendly, compassionate voices answering your calls.

From Christmas Day companionship to lunch with royalty, Alison ex...

When seasoned swimmer Michael got into difficulty, open-water safety training guided him - and his crew - onshore

Many of us have been discovering the joys of winter dips lately. Michael’s cold-water odyssey started with cold showers and learning the Wim Hof Method of breathing. Now you’ll find him dipping in Scarborough’s North or South Bay several times a week. For Michael, getting into chilly water and warming up onshore boosts ...

When Dom Jackson went missing while kayaking in 2017, a 5-day search ensued. Since his death, his sister Ellie has called on others to take vital steps to keep themselves safe at sea 

It wasn’t unusual for Dom to head off on an outdoor adventure - he had an adventurous spirit - but when he failed to return home after a lone kayaking trip, Ellie knew it was serious. Lost at sea, in freezing conditions, his body was found by the RNL...

Protection, layering, flexibility – the team behind our latest crew kit explain what makes the ultimate ‘cape’ for lifeboat heroes

Which reflective material shines through fog? How high should a jacket collar be to protect crew in the harshest conditions? 

These questions – and more – have been put to the test by the Helly Hansen Pro team, who partnered with the RNLI to develop our new crew kit in 2018. Category Manager Oliver Flas...

To survive for over 4 hours in freezing waters, two friends turn their thoughts to home

Benny Thomson remembers 25 November 2012 as the day that changed his life forever. It would set him on a new career path, and on a course to volunteer beside his rescuers at Broughty Ferry RNLI.

On an ill-fated jet ski trip, lifelong friends Benny and Gavin found themselves in the ‘washing machine’ waters of Abertay Sands.

In this emotional epis...

Ripped from her surfboard and alone in the waves, Ruth held on to advice that would save her life

For Ruth Osborne, a holiday in Cornwall sparked a move to Newquay and a sport that captured her heart. Learning beside competent surfers, she became more confident in the waves. But she always feared losing her board and being left out of her depth.

When the worst happened, Ruth had to catch her breath in the chaos of the impact zone. ...

After the Penlee lifeboat disaster, the RNLI’s collection boxes overflowed with donations. Val Nixon MBE fought through ice and snow to help keep up with the outpouring of generosity 

The winter of 1981 was one of the coldest on record. Snow and ice meant the RNLI closed the north-east office early for Christmas. But, on the morning after the Penlee disaster on 19 December, Val Nixon managed to get through the severe weather to ope...

Diane Allton suffered from aquaphobia and couldn’t swim. At 55, she confronted her fears and took the plunge 

The bravery of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews is clear to see. But courage can come in other guises – and for Diane, confronting her fear of water has taken great strength.

A traumatic event when she was a teenager left Diane with aquaphobia. For years she avoided water until World Drowning Prevention Day 2023, when she hear...

The late John Sharp’s gift to the RNLI honours his remarkable family history in helping to save lives at sea 

When John Sharp passed away in 2019, he left a generous gift to the Charities Aid Foundation and wrote a letter to his brother, Anthony, with a list of charities to consider as beneficiaries – one of which was the RNLI. 

Anthony shares how, in his retirement, John had researched the Sharp family tree, which revealed that hi...

200 Voices producer and former Kessock RNLI volunteer Dan Holland on the day he knew he wanted to be a lifeboat crew member

In this episode, we turn the mic to one of the producers behind the series. At the age of 8, Dan Holland stood in awe watching Flamborough RNLI lifeboat launch into the waves, vowing that one day, he would volunteer. He literally had the T-shirt.

Dan made good on his wish, later joining the crew at Kessock for...