Jersey Post Celebrates 200 Years of the RNLI with a Commemorative Stamp Issue

Honouring 200 Years of Lifesaving at Sea 

Jersey Post is proud to announce a special commemorative stamp issuelaunching on 4 March 2024, celebrating 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). This is part of a pan-island collaboration between Jersey Post, Guernsey Post and Isle of Man Post Office, honouring the RNLI's tireless dedication to saving lives at sea. 

When was the Lifeboat Institution founded? 

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. 

A look at the 2024 RNLI Jersey stamp issue

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.

Prestige Stamp Booklet & Collectables 

The commemorative release also includes a Prestige Stamp Booklet, featuring:

• Three complete sets of the stamps
• Exclusive stamp panes
• Extended information on the RNLI’s history in Jersey

Perfect for collectors and supporters of the RNLI alike, this issue is a tribute to the enduring power of volunteerism and the sea rescue mission.

Where to Buy RNLI 200 Stamp Products

Available from 4 March 2024, the RNLI stamp issue can be purchased from:

• Broad Street Post Office, St. Helier
• Rue des Prés Post Office, St. Saviour
• Online: www.jerseystamps.com
• Or call the Jersey Philatelic Bureau at: +44 (0)1534 616717