
About this episode
Helen Doe discusses her book on the lesser-known stories of the RNLI's history.
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 examples of courage, commitment and sacrifice were included. In her book – One Crew: The RNLI’s Official 200-Year History – Helen charts the course of the charity, from its humble beginnings to the modern organisation it is today. Over such a span, stormy seas are inevitable. The book explains how the RNLI navigated them, and endured. Along the way, we learn not just about the major milestones and headline-catching rescues, but of characters – some pivotal – and stories brought up from the depths. Read more about One Crew and other books by the author at helendoe.uk 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving…
People in this episode
Guest: Helen Doe
Topics covered
- RNLI history
- maritime rescue
- courage and sacrifice
- historical storytelling
- charity work
- lifesaving
- cultural heritage
Keywords
- RNLI
- Helen Doe
- One Crew
- maritime history
- lifesaving
- rescue stories
- charity
- courage
- sacrifice
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: RNLI, Adventurous Audio
Books & works: One Crew: The RNLI’s Official 200-Year History
More episodes of RNLI 200 Voices
- WE ARE LIFEGUARDS: Saving Lives on the Beach With the RNLI · March 24, 2026 · 1 min
- Stories of Courage: a one-off wartime episode · November 4, 2025 · 56 min
- 201. Take Five: 200 voices compilation episode · October 22, 2025 · 25 min
- 200. A Lasting Honour: Mark Dowie · March 4, 2024 · 18 min
- 199. Home and Dry: Jon Nicholls · March 3, 2024 · 11 min
- 197. A Welsh Episode: Mali Parry-Jones · March 1, 2024 · 14 min
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