Crowds flock to Rhyl RNLI open day

Visitors were able to go on board Rhyl’s all-weather lifeboat and purchase personalised boarding certificates, have a closer look at the inshore lifeboat, launching equipment and an RNLI lifeguard water craft, as well as gaining valuable sea safety information from the Respect the Water display.

Also on show was a range of vehicles including Rhyl Coastguard, North Wales Ambulance, RNLI Flood Rescue Team, and military vehicles (courtesy of Trevor Ellis). Inside the boathouse was a display of model lifeboats, cake and refreshment area, face painting, face to face fundraisers and a fundraising recruitment stall which saw seven new potential RNLI fundraisers and 30 Keep in Touch forms being filled in.

Live music from Carys and Lewis McElroy drew the crowds and entertained the visitors with a range of pop and rock songs.

As the lifeboats were preparing to launch for a demonstration exercise, a report came in of a person in the water off Splash Point, Rhyl. After a swift launch, both lifeboats arrived on scene within minutes. As the lifeboats arrived on scene the person was out of the water and with Rhyl Coastguard. It was quickly discovered that the person was swimming and that the call was a false alarm with good intent. As everyone was accounted for and safe the lifeboat returned close inshore off Rhyl boathouse and carried out a man over board demonstrations with Rhyl RNLI Lifeguards.

Rhyl RNLI Coxswain Martin Jones said: 'The open day was fantastic with over 500 people going on board the lifeboat. I would personally like to thank everyone who helped make the day such a huge success.’

Media contacts:
For more information please contact Colin Jones, Rhyl RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07813 688654 or by email on  [email protected] or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.