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Grand Maritime Charity Ball 2024, celebrating RNLI’s 200th Anniversary

Lifeboats News Release

All on aboard the Woods’ Silver Fleet flagship river yacht Silver Sturgeon, for a night of celebrations and remarkable landscapes, in support of the RNLI.

the Woods' Silver Fleet flagship river yacht Silver Sturgeon in front of the London Eye

National Maritime

The Woods' Silver Fleet flagship river yacht Silver Sturgeon in front of the London Eye

On Monday 9 September 2024, National Maritime are hosting a black-tie event on board the Woods' Silver Fleet flagship river yacht Silver Sturgeon.

The event will celebrate the RNLI on during its 200th anniversary year and be a great way to will raise vital funds to allow the charity to continue saving lives for the next 200 years.

The ball will take place on board the Woods' Silver Fleet flagship river yacht Silver Sturgeon, embarking and disembarking within the beautiful historic riverscape at Greenwich Pier.

Guests will enjoy fine dining and live entertainment, while cruising through London’s spectacular sights and bridges lit with the ‘Illuminated River’ artwork. This event is a rare opportunity to experience being aboard the Silver Sturgeon.

The evenings live entertainment will be provided by Temple Band. Temple performs regularly on the main stage at some of London’s biggest venues and members have performed with some of the world’s top names.

The evening will conclude with a charity auction, hosted by Magic Radio presenter Nick Snaith, and a potential boat drive-by from the Tower Bridge RNLI crew. Guests can purchase either individual tickets or a whole table, allowing attendees to share the spectacular evening. Get them now before it’s to late…

On arrival, guests will be greeted by RNLI crew members at the evenings drinks reception and then chaperoned to your table. To date, the RNLI volunteer crews have launched the lifeboats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years. National Maritime and the RNLI are marking this incredible milestone with the Grand Maritime Charity Ball and providing an evening to remember.

National Maritime is the UK’s largest SME maritime network, helping drive trade and growth for all. Today 73% of their 2,021 strong partnership networks are from the shipbuilding and ship repair, marine engineering, ports and logistics industries.

Peter Green, CEO, National Maritime, said:

“We can’t think of a better way to mark our conference than by supporting the vital work of the RNLI as they celebrate their 200th anniversary. As well as being a fantastic cause, this is a wonderful opportunity for the maritime sector to unite and celebrate our achievements as we work together for a greener future.”

Guests at the ball will enjoy fine dining, with a menu curated with sustainability at its heart by Woods’ Silver Fleet Executive Head Chef Marcus Cunningham. The food will be sustainably grown and responsibly sourced with a focus on fish and plant-based ingredients, accompanied by sustainably sourced wines and non-alcoholic alternatives.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD, sailing legend and Vice President of the RNLI will be the honorary guest for the evening. Sir Robin was the first person to sail single handed and non-stop around the world between 1968-69.

The SOCSEA Grand Maritime Charity Ball is the official dinner of the 4th Society and The Sea international conference delivered by National Maritime and the University of Greenwich, held at Greenwich Maritime on the 9th and 10th of September 2024. The theme of SOCSEA24 is ‘To be truly blue, we must also think green’.

Guests are encouraged to take inspiration from the theme and attend with a flourish or full outfit of blue and/or green.

Ryan Hall, Head of Region South East, RNLI said:

“I am really looking forward to spending the evening with everyone as we see the sights of the Thames. The support everyone offers across the maritime sector is amazing and we are forever grateful for the continued support as we strive to save everyone. Your support for this event will ensure we can set up a legacy for the future ensuring we remain sustainable, fit for purpose and support our team of over 35,000 volunteers in saving lives at sea.”

For further information please visit: https://www.nmdg.co.uk/socsea24-grand-maritime-charity-ball/

Notes to editors

Tickets can be purchased here:

Sponsorship is a fantastic way for organisations to support the event, details can be found here:

RNLI media contacts

For more information please email Izzy Coley, RNLI Media Engagement Placement – South East Region on [email protected] or telephone RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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.