
Ramsgate RNLI Open Day ends with a launch.
An RNLI Open Day is a great example of the volunteers all working together to showcase the station and crew.
Saturday 22 July started off warm and sunny and crowds had begun to gather in anticipation of seeing the All weather boat Esme Anderson and the inshore Claire and David Delves as they entered the inner harbour to take their position alongside the pontoons. As they were tying up the unpredictable summer weather started to change and the skies darkened and it began to rain.
Mayoress Pat Moore braved the weather to meet the members of the various groups who had set up stalls which included the Fund Raising team, the Face to Face team, the Ramsgate RNLI shop, the Education team, the Water Safety team, as well as representatives of the Station Management team, the majority of whom are volunteers.
She was then taken onboard Esme Anderson to meet the volunteer crew and have a tour of the boat.
With the rain settling in for the afternoon and the wind picking up only the most hardy visitors were visiting the stalls so sadly the decision was taken to curtail the event and both boats returned to station.
The inshore crew had just removed their wet weather gear when they were tasked by HM Coastguard at 15.40 to launch to the assistance of a kite surfer in difficulty in Pegwell Bay. On scene the Claire and David Delves managed to get the kite surfer onboard as well as his kit and brought him back to the Station. As the Station was still full of crew and volunteers there was plenty of people to sympathise, make him a cup of reviving tea and ensure he was warm.
Coxswain Ian Cannon, ‘ This was a great opportunity to engage with the public and thank them for all of their support by giving them a tour of the boats as we are solely funded by public donations. It was so sad that the inclement weather meant we had to curtail the Open Day. ’
Lifeboat Press Officer Karen Cox Tel 07779848431 Email [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London And South East Tel 07785296252 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 146,000 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.