Sun shines for RNLI Walmer's Open Day

Volunteers from Walmer lifeboat station were on hand on Saturday 23 June to provide refreshments and a variety of entertainment for younger visitors including stone painting, origami, and a lifeboat quiz. The station’s shop was also open for purchasing souvenirs. Crew members were available to answer questions about the station’s D Class lifeboat Duggie Rodbard and Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan for which a viewing platform, kindly donated and erected by Cloke Scaffolding, enabled visitors to view inside the boat. Also on display were finely detailed models of a number of lifeboats, including two of Walmer’s former boats, the Charles Dibden and Hampshire Rose.

A display of lifeboat protective equipment through the years from the old sou’wester and cork lifejacket to the modern day dry-suits and inflatable lifejackets were modelled, followed by a demonstration on Walmer Green of a rescue where safety advice about the necessity for the wearing of a lifejacket when going to sea was highlighted.

Emergency services also had a presence with local teams from HM Coastguard and the Kent Fire and Rescue Service and UK Marine Life Rescue also in attendance with displays of their rescue equipment and vehicles. A free lifejacket check was also available courtesy of volunteers from Margate lifeboat.

The day concluded with a display by Walmer’s two lifeboats, aided by Dover lifeboat and the Coastguard helicopter which simulated man overboard and paddleboarder rescues.

Walmer helmsman and event co-ordinator Dave Mitchell said:
“We are grateful to everyone who contributed to a fantastic day on Saturday, including crew members, shop volunteers and friends and family members who worked tirelessly throughout the day. We’d also like to thank the people of Walmer and Deal who turn out and continue to support us in our work. Funds raised will help to train and equip our volunteer lifeboat crews who are always on call to help save lives at sea.”

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station 01304 374475, 07906 623037 [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 620 7426, 07785 296252, [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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 or by email.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

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.