RNLI enjoys high profile visits during Volvo Ocean Race Cardiff Stopover

The RNLI was delighted to be announced Host City Community Partner of the yacht race stopover, which arrived in Cardiff on 27 May. The partner status has given the lifesaving charity a fantastic opportunity to showcase its work and raise awareness of the role of its volunteer crews around the Welsh coast. An all-weather lifeboat has been berthed on the pontoon in Cardiff Bay and visitors have been flocking to enjoy guided tours of the Tamar class lifeboat.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas was one of those to enjoy a VIP guided tour whilst hearing more about the work of the RNLI’s volunteer crews and lifeguards around the Welsh coast.

Matt Crofts, RNLI Lifesaving Manager, who had the pleasure of showing Lord Elis-Thomas the capabilities of the lifesaving vessel said:

‘With it being Year of the Sea, it was a fantastic opportunity to talk about the culture and heritage of the RNLI in Wales and the dedication of our volunteer crews at 30 lifeboat stations and our lifeguards on 40 Welsh beaches. Lord Elis-Thomas was particularly interested in our active role working with Visit Wales and Adventure Smart Wales to encourage responsible tourism and safe enjoyment of our epic Welsh coastline.’

First Minister Carwyn Jones visited the RNLI’s stand last week (27 May) and was keen to find out more about the launch of the charity’s Respect The Water campaign. He met with Katie Beney, RNLI Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager and Porthcawl RNLI volunteer Ross Martin.

Katie says:

‘Meeting the First Minister as Host City Community Partner of the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Cardiff was a unique opportunity to showcase the RNLI’s work in Wales. We spoke about our campaign Respect The Water which is aimed at young men in particular. Eight people lost their lives off the Welsh coast last year - all were men – and over half did not intend to enter the water. The First Minister was most interested in our float to live message and how people should fight their instinct to thrash about when they get into trouble in the water.

‘It’s so great for us to be here in Cardiff talking to people who may not normally come into contact with the RNLI. 70% of all visits to our Welsh coast originate from the North West / Merseyside, West Midlands and from within Wales, so it’s important that we find innovative ways to work together with the tourism industry to ensure that visitors are aware of the relevant water safety advice before and during their trip to the coast.’

Teams of community safety and youth education volunteers are present on the RNLI stand passing on lifesaving information to race village visitors. There is also presence from RNLI community fundraisers and the charity’s face to face teams. In addition, the RNLI will be providing rescue cover during the training and in-port races on 8 and 9 June.

The race started last October and the Cardiff stopover signals one of the final legs before the race finishes in The Hague. This is the first time in 12 years the race has stopped in the UK and the fact Cardiff has been chosen as a Host City during Wales’ Year of The Sea celebrations and the RNLI has been chosen as Community Partner means it’s quite an occasion.

Ends

Please find attached j-peg images:

1. First Minister Carwyn Jones finds out more about the RNLI’s Respect The Water campaign from RNLI Senior Corporate Manager Katie Beney and Porthcawl RNLI volunteer Ross Martin.

2. Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, enjoying a tour of a Tamar lifeboat at Cardiff Bay with Matt Crofts RNLI Lifesaving Manager for Wales

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For more information, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or 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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