Fourteen volunteer crew, 160 years of Saving Lives at Sea.
Fourteen former crew including coxswain, Frank Smith, attended the first Salcombe RNLI 'Old Salts' meeting on Thursday evening.
The former Watson and Tyne class lifeboat crewmen were treated to a tour of both the Tamar all-weather lifeboat, The Baltic Exchange III, and brand-new Atlantic 85 in-shore lifeboat, Gladys Hilda Mustoe, with an informal get together at the Fortescue Inn after. The 'Old Salts' present had a combined total of 160-year volunteer service with the RNLI.
'It was good to see them back' remarked Salcombe Lifeboat Operations Manager Mark Dowie.
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.