North Wales lifeboat relay celebrates RNLI’s 200th anniversary

The one-of-a-kind pennant features a red RNLI ensign with an embroidered RNLI 200 logo and sits on a unique staff, embellished with red, white and blue rope.

Over three weekends across June and July*, the flag will be passed, at sea, between lifeboats from each of the nine stations that protect the coastline of North Wales from Flint in the East to Porthdinllaen in the West.

The nine stations are Flint, Rhyl, Llandudno, Conwy, Beaumaris, Moelfre, Holyhead, Trearddur Bay and Porthdinllaen.

The relay will culminate in a gathering of all six lifeboat classes found on this stretch of coast at its final stop in Moelfre. All-weather lifeboat classes Severn, Tamar and Shannon, and inshore lifeboats the D-Class, Atlantic 85 and Y-boat, which is a small inflatable ‘daughter boat’ stowed on some all-weather lifeboats, will all be in attendance.

After the relay, the pennant will go on permanent display at the Moelfre RNLI Seawatch Centre on Anglesey.

Chris Gaskin, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager said: ‘The relay is a great way to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year and to celebrate the volunteers that protect the coast of Wales.

‘Involving all of our lifeboat stations along the north coast of Wales ensures it is connecting all the lifesavers that give up their time to save lives at sea, and these communities will be able to look back fondly on the event in years to come.’

Notes to editors

• Interviews available on request
• Images can be downloaded here: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/0A8DBA4F-03D4-4499-A475A973A00FCEBC/
• Media are invited to witness any of the handovers and in particular to the pennant’s final arrival in Moelfre
• *On Sunday 9 June, the pennant will be travelling From Flint RNLI to Conwy RNLI via Rhyl and Llandudno lifeboats. Transfers will be made just off the coast at points visible from the shore at 12:10pm, 13:00 and 13:40 respectively. Further details available on request.
• *On Sunday 23 June, the pennant will be travelling from Conwy RNLI to Trearddur Bay RNLI via Beaumaris and Porthdinllaen lifeboats. Transfers will be made just off the coast at points visible from the shore at 11:40am and 12:30pm. Further details available on request.
• *On Sunday 7 July, the pennant will be travelling from Trearddur Bay RNLI to Moelfre RNLI via Holyhead lifeboat. Transfers will be made just off the coast at points visible from the shore at 10:15am and 11:05am. Further details available on request.
• The flotilla of lifeboats will assemble at Moelfre RNLI for the arrival of the pennant at 12:00pm on Sunday 7 July.

For further information contact Tom Dale, Regional Communications Manager on Tom_Dale@rnli,org.uk, or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [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.

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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.