Bembridge Lifeboat Station Scout Visit During Easter Weekend
Over the Easter weekend, Bembridge Lifeboat Station welcomed more than 500 scouts from various parts of England. The scouts, who were camping on the Isle of Wight included groups who had travelled some distances with some coming from as far as Lancaster, approximately 290 miles away.
To ensure the weekend was as enjoyable and impactful as possible, the scouts were organised into groups of 15. Upon arrival, each group was greeted by the Water Safety Team and the lifeboat crew who dedicated a few hours over the Easter weekend. The tour offered the scouts valuable insights into the history of the RNLI, important water safety messages, and the operations of the two lifeboats stationed at Bembridge, the all-weather lifeboat Alfred Albert Williams and D Class Norman Harvey.
The groups were also given the chance to tour the inshore boathouse before walking along the pier to the off-shore boathouse, which had been rebuilt and completed in 2010. There, they went on board the all-weather Tamar lifeboat and experienced a behind-the-scenes look at where the crew convene and prepare for callouts.
The visit was well received, with one scout leader describing it as 'An interesting and worthwhile addition to our programme' and expressing eagerness to return. Equally the Bembridge crew and team found the scouts to be engaging and enjoyed the opportunity to show them around the station while sharing the work the RNLI accomplish in keeping people safe at sea.
Steve Jones, Assistant Mechanic & ALB Crew said 'It was great to see the scouts today down at the lifeboat station and the crew interacting with them' adding that the crew hope this may inspire some scouts to become involved with the RNLI in the future while strengthening ties between the RNLI, the local community and Scout groups.
Before departing, the scout group and their leaders visited the RNLI gift shop, where many purchased a souvenir or two.
RNLI Contact Volunteer Press Officer Laura Campos [email protected] or Jess Curtis [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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