A fitting tribute to the Salcombe RNLI volunteer crews of yesteryear.
This weekend saw a tribute paid to the RNLI Salcombe volunteer crews, families and supporters who have served Salcombe and the surrounding areas for the past 150 years.
On Friday evening local historian and author Roger Barrett gave a presentation to a packed audience at the Salcombe Yacht Club, about the history of the Salcombe lifeboat station. This was followed by a getting together of the ‘Old Salts’ group, in the Fortescue Inn, where there was much to catch up on as well as the odd pint or two.
Saturday's events started with a tribute to those early crew members who upon hearing the maroon, that would signal a lifeboat launch was required, would then run the 1.5 miles from Salcombe to the South Sands lifeboat station in all conditions to launch. Sixteen members of today’s crew re-enacted that run and yes, they all finished. They then rowed two gigs, provided by Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club, back to Salcombe.
The theme of remembering the past continued through the day, with seven Historic Lifeboats moored alongside the Normandy pontoon and open to the many members of the public who had flocked to the town. Also, on hand were the RNLI F2F and Lifeguard teams sharing not only information on the RNLI but also passing on the many safety messages put out to help in the aim of Saving Lives at Sea.
Day one ended with a very well supported BBQ and music organised by the Salcombe Yacht Club.
Sunday again saw the Salcombe Yacht Club supporting the RNLI with dinghy racing. Although the weather had changed somewhat from Saturday it was a good mornings racing with the Salcombe ILB at the head of the dinghy’s and two of the historic lifeboats following.
The weekend was rounded of with another BBQ at the Salcombe Yacht Club in support of the RNLI and Father’s Day.
Andrew Arthur, Salcombe Lifeboat Operations Manager, thanked all who had contributed to making the weekend such a success and achieving the aim of ‘a tribute to yesteryear’, with a special thanks to the Salcombe Yacht Club for their support.
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.