RNLI marks 200th anniversary of Spurn Point lifeboats

Lifeboats have been stationed at Spurn Point since 1810

A special service of thanksgiving has been held to mark 200 years of lifeboats being stationed at Spurn Point on the Humber estuary.

Humber RNLI crew and supporters of the lifeboat charity are took part in the service led by the Chaplain to Trinity House, the Reverend Michael Hills.

The Bishop of Hull, the Rt Rev Richard Frith, gave a sermon.

The first lifeboat was stationed at Spurn Point in 1810 by Hull Trinity House. The RNLI took it over in 1911.

Humber RNLI superintendent coxswain Dave Steenvoorden said: "Usually one or at the most two of us can leave the Point together because we must have a crew on duty at all times in case the call for help comes.

"However, because the service of thanksgiving is so important to us, the RNLI has arranged a relief crew of lifeboat volunteers from local lifeboat stations to stand in for us while we are in Hull.

"This is a rare opportunity for us to reflect together and remember the lives that have been saved by Humber lifeboatmen and also those poor souls who have been lost at sea over the years."