Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Week gets off to a sunny start
Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis got off to scorching start today as thousands packed the town and beaches in the sunshine.
The first major event of the day was a welcome display by the crew of the Lyme Regis Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne. She was joined by the neighbouring Shannon-class lifeboat from Exmouth,R and J Welburn, and the coastguard helicopter for a winching exercise.
In a varied programme, the day continued with performances on Marine Parade by a group of belly dancers known as Eastern Promise, a kite making workshop for youngsters, visits to meet the crew aboard the lifeboat on its slipway and the final eent of the day the bathtub race.
Two bonus events have just been announced. On Tuesday at 11.30am there will be a flypast by RAF Puma helicopters and two hours later a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton will stage a flypast.
The week continues with a host of events including sand castle competitions, a grand auction, fossil polishing, a gig race and tug 'o war across the harbour mouth.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.