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Larne RNLI to celebrate 30 years with open day this Saturday

Lifeboats News Release

Larne RNLI will celebrate 30 years of lifesaving with an open day at the lifeboat station this Saturday.

Larne RNLI volunteers pictured alongside their lifeboats

RNLI/Larne

Larne RNLI to celebrate 30 years

Everyone is welcome to join the volunteer crew to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Events on the day will include a barbecue, kids treasure hunt, glitter tattoos (for all ages!), a fundraising pop up shop as well as a visit from some friends in the emergency services.

You'll also have the chance to meet the station's dedicated volunteers, learn about how they train and the different types of rescues they have experienced over the last 30 years. The crew will also share top water safety tips on how to enjoy the beautiful Antrim coast safely this summer whether you’re planning a fishing trip, swimming, kayaking or just an enjoyable day by the beach.

2024 is also the RNLI's 200th anniversary. Since the charity was founded in 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history.

Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity; and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.

The RNLI’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. The charity designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

Speaking ahead of Saturday, Jonathan Shirley, Larne RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the lifeboat station on Saturday to help celebrate 30 years of saving lives at sea. It is a really good opportunity to learn some more about what we do and to have some fun at the same time. Everyone is welcome.’

Don’t miss the opportunity to join in the celebrations with Larne RNLI from 12pm-4pm on 22 June at Larne Lifeboat Station on the Olderfleet Road.

Ends

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.

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