RNLI Lifejacket clinic raises concerns in Ramsgate
On Sunday 4th March RNLI Community Safety Volunteer Andy Mills held a life jacket clinic hosted by the Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate.
With the sailing season fast approaching, the local community was invited to attend a free RNLI lifejacket clinic arranged by Andy Mills.
It was a well attended event with many sailors taking the opportunity to have their lifejackets checked over. However there was also cause for concern with 41 out of the 72 jackets tested failing due to a variety of reasons. This meant that the now forewarned people are able to make repairs before they take to the water.
A representative from the RNLI said that people should always ensure they have floatation devises when they take to the water, but as your life may depend on them always, ensure that they are serviced regularly.
Due to the success of the event there are plans to hold further sessions.
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland