Galway RNLI crew to hold lifeboat station open day

This will be the first open day at the lifeboat station since before the pandemic and takes place on the same day as the Galway Docklands Festival being organised by the Galway Hooker Sailing Club.

Mike Swan, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘This year is RNLI200 when we are celebrating the charity’s 200 year anniversary and Saturday’s open day will be the first since the pandemic which will make it a really special day. We are looking forward to welcoming people down to the station to have a look around, see the lifeboat up close and meet the crew.

‘We will be launching the lifeboat at 1pm and 3pm and that always generates a lot of interest seeing the crew using a davit crane outside the station to lower the lifeboat in and out of the water.

‘There will be an emphasis on search and rescue and how the agencies work together to keep our waterways safe for the people of Galway and visitors to our city and county. We will be joined by Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit, the Claddagh Watch Patrol, Galway Fire and Rescue Service and the Civil Defence. We will also have RNLI water safety crew here with advice on how to have fun and stay safe in the water and on the beach.

‘In addition we will have a display of the schools’ artwork throughout the station. This year’s art competition theme is ‘Celebrating 200 years of lifesaving work’ and we look forward to seeing all the entries from the primary school children in our area. We will have a pop-up shop, Stormy Stan will drop by to meet the kids and it wouldn’t be an RNLI open day without some competitive welly throwing.

‘We will open the doors from 12pm to 4pm and we look forward to meeting people who support us to do the work we do and everyone who has an interest in and spends time on or by the water as a pastime or for work. The Galway Lifeboat Station is located in the New Docks, Galway Harbour at Eircode H91 X782. See you Saturday.’

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.