Blessing of the Boats service hosted by Lyme Regis RNLI

A congregation of around 300 people, led by Reverend Ginny Luckett and Reverend Chris Woodman, celebrated the long history of seafaring in Lyme Regis and remembered those who had been lost at sea in peacetime and in war. The Mayor of Lyme Regis Councillor Philip Evans MBE read the lesson, and musical accompaniment was by Lyme Regis Town Band and Lyme Bay Moonrakers.

RNLI organiser for the event, volunteer Lifeboat Administration Officer Ian Marshall said: ‘Our annual Blessing of the Boats service of hymns and prayer is a long-standing feature of the Lyme Regis calendar. This year is especially important as the RNLI commemorates two centuries of lifesaving in the town, and the RNLI Lifeguard service celebrates its 25th anniversary.

During the service 12-year-old William Crabbe, son of volunteer Helm Tom Crabbe, read a poem entitled ‘What the sea means to me’. Proud dad Tom said: ‘William did a great job first writing his very thoughtful poem and then reading it in front of a large crowd. His contribution reminds us that the RNLI is very much a family affair. As crew we can only do our work at sea with the ongoing support of our families ashore.’

The service ended with the blessing of four floral wreaths which were passed through ranks of representatives from organisations connected with the sea to lifeboat crew waiting at the water’s edge. Organisations represented this year were HM Coastguard, National Coast Watch Institution, Royal British Legion, Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy, Lyme Regis Sailing Club, Lyme Regis Sea School, Lyme Regis Powerboat Club, Lyme Regis Gig Club, Lyme Bay Rib Rides, Lyme Regis Bluetits, White Knights Kayak Club, Lyme Regis Water Polo Club and volunteers from Lyme Regis, Seaton and Beer RNLI branches.

Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne was then taken out of harbour by its volunteer crew accompanied by an ILCA dinghy sailed by Lyme Regis Sailing Club member Elliot Sammons. Once at sea the lifeboat crew laid the floral wreaths on the water in an act of remembrance for those who had lost their lives at sea.

As always this was a very poignant service which reminded everyone of the importance of the sea to Lyme Regis and to the many groups who have used its ancient harbour for work or leisure over many centuries.

Ends

Notes to editors:

In February 1826 the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (which later became the RNLI) approved £18-4s-0d for Lyme Regis to help with the conversion of a local fishing boat for use as a lifeboat. This is the earliest known association of the lifesaving charity with the town.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Nick Marks, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station on 07568 187582 or [email protected], or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.