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Gravesend RNLI attends Chatham Dockyard for RNLI 200: The Exhibition

Lifeboats News Release

A press event was held at Chatham Dockyard on Thursday 21 March ahead of the RNLI 200 Exhibition opening on Saturday 23 March.

RNLI

Gravesend RNLI volunteers Tim & Fiona and Station Manager Ian Smith at Chatham Dockyard

The brand-new exhibition for 2024 shares the exhilarating story of the RNLI as the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary.

Gravesend RNLI volunteer crew members Tim Wyatt and Fiona Trent and Station Manager Ian Smith were in attendance at the launch event.

Tim said, ‘You’ll discover the heroic tales of the men and women who have risked their lives to save others, plus get up close to active serving boats as well as equipment used from past to present.'

Fiona added, ‘It’s an honour to be part of this launch event, the exhibition really is a must-see for all ages and just in time for Easter, the RNLI 200 Exhibition opens at Chatham Dockyard on Saturday 23 March and runs until 1 September 2024.'

The RNLI’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives since its founding in 1824. From triumphs to tragedies; from oar-powered vessels to the boats packed with cutting-edge technology used today; from introducing the first lifeboats on the River Thames to rolling-out a UK beach lifeguard service; from running the UK and Ireland’s biggest ever drowning prevention campaigns to working with others to save lives overseas – the RNLI has a remarkable 200-year story to tell.

The RNLI 200 Exhibition is included with general admission, for more information and tickets, visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Notes to Editor

Gravesend is one of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat stations and one of four lifeboat stations operating on the River Thames – the first stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.

Our lifeboat is Olive Laura Deare II, an Atlantic 85 B class inshore lifeboat, which is one of the fastest types in the fleet.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

· Ashley Bard, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected]

· Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager [email protected]

· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Inside RNLI 200: Exhibition at Chatham Dockyard

RNLI

Inside RNLI 200: Exhibition at Chatham Dockyard
Inside RNLI 200: Exhibition at Chatham Dockyard

RNLI

Inside RNLI 200: Exhibition at Chatham Dockyard
Inside RNLI 200: Exhibition at Chatham Dockyard

RNLI

Inside RNLI 200: Exhibition at Chatham Dockyard

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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