Issue date: 1st July 2024
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the creation of the RNLI. Part 1 depicts various rescue boats used by the RNLI during its history
55p The Zetland 1802.
The Zetland is the oldest surviving lifeboat. She is Greathead’s only surviving original type lifeboat. Built in 1802, she saved over 500 lives during her 78 years’ of service.
85p First Steam Lifeboat, 1890.
The Duke of Northumberland went into service in September 1890. She used waterjets instead of propellors. Three hydraulic steam-driven lifeboats were in service for over 40 years and saved 570 lives.
£1.30 First Motor Lifeboat, 1930.
The first fast motor lifeboat was designed to reach casualties rapidly. Sir William Hillary, named after the RNLI’s founder, was developed in response to an increasing number of aircraft flying over the Channel, and coming down at sea.
£2 Shannon Class, 2013.
The RNLI’s first Shannon class lifeboat was named Jock and Annie Slater, after a former RNLI Chairman, Sir Jock Slater, and his wife, Lady Annie Slater.
The Shannon class is the first modern RNLI all-weather lifeboat to be powered by waterjets instead of propellers, making her fast with speeds up to 25 knots, and agile.