Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Station reopened by Dame Ellen MacArthur
Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat station has been reopened following a full refurbishment, including improvements to the crew facilities, the volunteer-run RNLI shop and the new Mechanic’s Workshop, which now sits next to the all-weather lifeboat in the harbour.
Dame Ellen MacArthur DBE, who is also Yarmouth Station’s Chairwoman, officially re-opened the new facilities on the sunny evening of May 11 in a ceremony attended by supporters, crew and some of those who have been rescued by the station’s volunteers.
Those who joined the celebrations included Yarmouth’s current volunteer crew, local business owners, Yarmouth’s newly appointed Mayor, Back of the Wight members, Isle of Wight Lifeboat Board members, past crew and coxswains and the Yarmouth Harbour Master, just to name a few.
Volunteer crews from neighbouring lifeboat stations from Calshot, Cowes, Bembridge, and Lymington RNLI also joined Yarmouth RNLI crews in the festivities. Guests were invited to have a tour of the lifeboat, the lifeboat station and Yarmouth’s newly refurbished shop which sells a variety of RNLI gifts and souvenirs from homeware to clothing, toys and cards.
Yarmouth’s amazing lifesaving shop volunteers gave their time to open outside their normal opening hours during the celebration for guests to look round and make purchases.
Jeremy Wilcock, Yarmouth’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, welcomed all those attending in front of the all-weather lifeboat (17-25) Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) and the Mechanic’s Workshop, then formally welcomed Dame Ellen MacArthur DBE to officially open the brand new facilities.
Dame Ellen MacArthur, said during her speech:
‘It give me enormous, pleasure, to have been invited here. Obviously as you all know, I am a local. We pass the lifeboat every time we go on and off the ferry, as many of us do. As somebody who uses the water a great deal, it is enormously reassuring to know that there are lifeboats all around the country and I think anybody who uses the water really does appreciate that.
We know and appreciate the lifeboats do great work, and for me this station has a specific connection because I used to live in Yarmouth for a while back in 1998 and that’s where I met Howard, and I feel having been his friend for 25 years, and having been a follower of his journey as Coxswain for 23 years, I feel part of the station.
I feel really honoured and privileged to be invited to open the new facilities, and it’s wonderful that it’s facilities, not facility, as it makes a difference to the crew who volunteer their time’.
Dame Ellen MacArthur then officially opened the Yarmouth RNLI Station’s facilities, and unveiled the plaque which shines for all to see on the front of the Mechanic’s Workshop.
The RNLI remains an independent charity, who relies on voluntary contributions to help continue its lifesaving work, and there are over 5,600 volunteer crew members and over 3,700 volunteer shore crew at 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. They all rely on training, kit, rescue equipment, lifeboats and lifeboat stations to continue to save lives at sea as they have done since 1824.
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Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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