Penlee RNLI announce station Open Day and Procession of Sail on Bank Holiday

lifeboats to the old Penlee lifeboat station at Penlee Point where a wreath will be laid.

Patch Harvey, Coxswain of the Penlee RNLI lifeboat says;

‘The station and fundraising volunteers have been keeping an eye on the situation and considering Government guidelines, have made the decision that with the appropriate safety precautions, we can host the event safely.

‘After a long 18 months or more, we’re really looking forward to seeing people and giving them the opportunity to learn more about the history of Penlee RNLI and how the current volunteer crew train and operate to be able to save lives at sea.

‘It seems especially important to be able to share the day with our supporters and friends as this year marks 40 years since the disaster and we wanted to give people the opportunity to join us in remembering and celebrating the lives and courage of the eight crew members who were tragically lost that night, along with the crew of the coaster, the Union Star.

‘It will be an honour to be joined by a flotilla of old Watson class lifeboats, for the Procession of Sail. The Solomon Browne was a Watson class. These wooden lifeboats were built in the 1960’s and will have saved countless lives over many years of service.

‘We’d love for any boat or vessel in the area to join in the Procession of Sail from Newlyn Harbour to the old lifeboat house. Starting at 4pm, operational requirements withstanding, we hope to be joined by our flank stations The Lizard and Sennen Cove.’

Those on land will be able to line the pavements to watch the Procession of Sail and the laying of the wreath from the road going out of Newlyn towards Mousehole.

Open Day visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the station’s history, go aboard the station’s all-weather lifeboat, meet the crew and other volunteers, and enjoy a variety of stalls including refreshments, locally made cake and a souvenir or two.

The Culdrose Military Wives Choir and folk band Silvington will provide live music throughout the day.

Reverend Yvonne Hobson will lead the annual blessing of the lifeboats in Newlyn Harbour to bring the day to a close with the Mousehole Male Voice Choir leading the singing.

Programme of events for Monday 30 August

- 11am to 3pm – Penlee Lifeboat station Open Day – Newlyn Harbour, Penzance, TR18 5HW (parking – there will be limited assessable parking in the harbour car park but open day visitors are encouraged to park in the Sandy Cove car park on the way to Mousehole and walk down to the station. Signs will direct visitors)

- 4pm to 5pm - Procession of Sail – Penlee’s lifeboats, a flotilla of old Watson class lifeboats and lifeboats from Sennen Cove and The Lizard will lead the procession to the old lifeboat station at Penlee Point, where a wreath will be laid in memory of the crew of the Solomon Browne and the Union Star

- 6pm-7pm – Blessing of the Lifeboats, both Penlee lifeboats will be blessed by Rev Yvonne Hobson in Newlyn Harbour

Notes to Editors

· If media would like to attend the Open Day and Procession of Sail please contact Amy on the details below. A boat will be made available to take a limited number of media out to film the procession and laying of the wreath

· Photographs will be made available after the event

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager, on 07920818807 or [email protected] or Emma Haines at [email protected] Alternatively, please call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or email [email protected].

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 142,700 lives.

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 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.