
Port St Mary RNLI hold special RNLI 200 events
The volunteer crew of Port St Mary RNLI Station had a busy day celebrating on Sunday with special RNLI 200th events, including the unveiling of a community mosaic where over 200 people from the Manx community have contributed, and a visit from the Porsche RNLI-911 challenge.
They have raised in excess of £120,000 to fund a new D class lifeboat for the relief fleet which will bear the RNLI identification number of D-911. This relief fleet of inshore lifeboats provide cover for lifeboat stations round the coast, whilst routine maintenance and repairs are carried out on a station’s lifeboat.
Following on at 11.00am, members of the lifeboat crew and supporters attended the unveiling of a mosaic masterpiece on the shelter at Happy Valley in Port St Mary. The execution of the project has become a major community effort involving no less than 13 organisations and schools and resulting in 200 individuals applying the ceramic pieces to complete the mural.
It depicts the current Port St Mary Trent class lifeboat Gough Ritchie II, but also the original Port St Mary rowing lifeboat James Stevens No 1, as well as iconic local landmarks such as Chickens Rock Lighthouse and the Drinking Dragon in addition to local seabirds and marine life.
The mosaic was the brainchild of Debra Tracey of ‘Isle be Creative’ and arose from a chance meeting at a Christmas Fair last October. The execution of the project would not have been possible without the generous funding received from The Arts Council and IFGL.
Ruth Quillin-Creamer, Chair of Port St Mary RNLI’s Fundraising Guild said:
‘We’re really honoured that Debra and everyone from the Manx community involved in the mosaic project have chosen to highlight our charity’s lifesaving work. RNLI volunteers give up so much time and energy in order to save lives at sea and serve our communities – so it’s hugely appreciated.
‘And a big thank you to all of the fundraisers like Belinda and James, who’ve shown so much support to the RNLI in our 200th year of lifesaving.’
His Excellency Sir John and and Lady Loimer inserted the final 2 tiles to complete the Puffin alongside the mural. His Excellency then declared the mosaic unveiled and duly christened it with the symbolic pouring of Prosecco.
Notes to editors- Port St Mary lifeboat station has been operating since 1896.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact David Hill, Port St Mary RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07624.471410.
Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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
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