Ramsgate RNLI makes a splash at Broadstairs Water Gala
On the morning of 31 July the crew of Ramsgate station attended the annual Water Gala at the neighbouring town Broadstairs.
Since the 1970s the volunteer crew of Ramsgate RNLI station have been attending the annual event. This year was no different and even though it was too rough to take the public onto the All-weather boat Esme Anderson, the arrival of the lifeboats still drew the crowds in.
Usually the inshore lifeboat would moor alongside the all-weather one, but with a heavy sea it was deemed too dangerous so they moored up against a fishing boat closer to shore which meant that the inshore crew had to swim ashore much to the amusement of the public.
With one of the life jackets inflating it was a good opportunity to explain to the watching crowd how they operated and spread the message to fight your instincts and float if you found yourself in the water.
The crew came ashore and answered questions from parents and children alike, with one mother commenting how it was: 'lovely to see that there were still good people around willing to give up
their time to help others'. The crew were then treated to lunch by the local Sailing Club as a sign of their appreciation.
Coxswain Ian Cannon said: 'We are so pleased to be invited each year to attend this event as it helps us spread a vital message. The seaside is a great place to take the family, but you must always respect the water as annually one hundred and fifty people die by accident in UK waters. So know what do, visit our website RespectTheWater.com and always swim on lifeguarded beaches'.
Media Contacts:
Karen Cox, Ramsgate volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (07779) 848431 [email protected]
Paul Dunt: Regional Media Officer (London/South East) Email [email protected] Tel. M. 07785296252 L. 01202336789
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
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