All aboard for Donaghadee’s Lifeboat Festival this weekend

The popular maritime event has gone from strength to strength each year, with locals and visitors exploring the maritime heritage of the beautiful county Down town and availing of a range of fun activities.

The highlight of the festival will be the Raft Race at 11.45am which will depart from the Slipway opposite the sailing club. Sponsored by Maxol Hightrees, application forms can be obtained from the Lifeboat Shop, Dunn’s Footwear or on the Donaghadee website, donaghadeelifeboat.co.uk. Rafts can be hired for a four or a six person team but most groups prefer to construct their own.

Other activities include a lifeboat exercise in the harbour, an open viewing of the Donaghadee lighthouse and plenty of stalls for shopping. The viewing of the lighthouse is with kind permission of the Commissioner of Irish Lights and visitors are advised that no children under ten years of age can be admitted.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

Raft race 11:45am

Lighthouse opens 12pm - 4:00pm

Harbour stalls 11am -4:00pm

Lifeboat exercise in the harbour 1:00pm

Lifeboat Open 2:00 - 4:00pm

Commenting on the festival, Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Peter Irwin said, ‘This day has become one of the key events in the Donaghadee social calendar and we are delighted to welcome so many visitors to our town. The Donaghadee lifeboat community has a rich history and was founded in 1910. This year the station marked the 65^th anniversary of the Princess Victoria ferry disaster, following which a Bronze medal for Gallantry was presented to the station’s Coxswain for their role in the rescue of thirty-one people.’

Peter added, ‘We would love to welcome as many visitors as possible to the station and the surrounding harbour to let us show them what we do and express our gratitude for their support.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [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.