The volunteer crew of a lifeboat are continuing to take part in celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the RNLI.

Lowestoft Journal: The RNLI 200 years logo. Picture: RNLIThe RNLI 200 years logo. Picture: RNLI (Image: RNLI)

As the RNLI turns 200, a special Service of Thanksgiving was held this week - with Lowestoft Lifeboat set to mark the organisation’s 200th anniversary with a sail-by this weekend.

Lowestoft Journal: A Service of Thanksgiving to mark the RNLI ’s 200th anniversary was held at Westminster Abbey in London - featuring Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Henry Carter and four others from Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat station. Picture: Paul CarterA Service of Thanksgiving to mark the RNLI ’s 200th anniversary was held at Westminster Abbey in London - featuring Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Henry Carter and four others from Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat station. Picture: Paul Carter (Image: Paul Carter)

On Monday, March 4 a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the RNLI ’s 200th anniversary was held at Westminster Abbey in London.

The event was attended by representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities across the UK and Ireland, including Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Henry Carter and four others from Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat station.

Lowestoft Journal: A Service of Thanksgiving to mark the RNLI ’s 200th anniversary was held at Westminster Abbey in London - featuring Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Henry Carter and four others from Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat station. Picture: Paul CarterA Service of Thanksgiving to mark the RNLI ’s 200th anniversary was held at Westminster Abbey in London - featuring Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Henry Carter and four others from Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat station. Picture: Paul Carter (Image: Paul Carter)

A Lowestoft Lifeboat spokesman said: "Lifeboat stations around the country are each commemorating the bicentenary in different ways.

"Locally, on Sunday, March 10 at 11.30am the crew of Lowestoft Lifeboat will - subject to operational requirements - bring their all-weather Shannon Class lifeboat ‘Patsy Knight’ close inshore to celebrate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary with a sail-by along the shoreline at Pakefield beach."

Lowestoft Journal: The crew of Lowestoft Lifeboat at sea. Picture: Mick HowesThe crew of Lowestoft Lifeboat at sea. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Continuing the commemoration events, members of the public are invited to join lifesaving RNLI crews, fundraising volunteers and their families for a special bicentenary Evensong service at Norwich Cathedral to commemorate 200 years of saving lives at sea.

The service, on March 17, takes place from 3.30pm and will give thanks for the bravery and commitment of past and present volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Sir William Hillary’s vision for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea became a reality in Bishopsgate’s trendy London Tavern on 4 March 1824.

On the day the charity turned 200, the RNLI revealed its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved 146,452 lives during that time.

For more information on the work of the RNLI and how to support it visit rnli.org