Proud to have our new ceremonial Standard at RNLI Rye Harbour
RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station is now the proud owner of a special RNLI ceremonial Standard because of the generosity of David and Jackie Rees, who wanted to donate the money for us to purchase it, in the memory of Jackie’s late parents.
On Sunday 24th April 2022 at the St George’s Day Parade and Service at St Mary’s, Rye RNLI Steve Brown, crew member, carried the new standard with pride. There was a great turn-out of our crew to witness the blessing of the Standard in the church. Vicar Revd. Paul White said,
“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and especially for the men and women based at Rye Harbour who give their all to Save lives at Sea. We thank you for the gift of this new Standard and we pray for your blessing to be on it now.”
Dave Richards, RNLI Dungeness, explains the significance of the Standard.
Every standard and every part of it tells a story: The white represents purity of mind and spirit - all will be aided, regardless of who or what they are. The blue is the sky above us and the sea on which we sail. The red, the cross of St George, recalls the patron saint of warriors, not the ones who fight in wars and conflict but those who battle the seas. The gold is for remembrance, lest we forget those who have gone before. In the centre is the Crown for the Queen, our Royal Patron. Below, the warp and anchor is the symbol of the Merchant Marine of which we are part, but more, the anchor shows strength and the warp the common bond which ties us together. The tassels are the beginning and end of life and the cord the path between the two with all its twists and turns, but when laid out it shows the straight and narrow path we should take. The fringe is the never-ending connection between those who have gone before those who are present now and those who will continue in the future.
We will bear our Standard with pride and at Rye Harbour we shall continue to uphold the traditions of the RNLI
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.