Hundreds support Portsmouth RNLI at successful Open Day

Held at Portsmouth Lifeboat Station, the event gave visitors the opportunity to meet the station's volunteer crew and fundraisers, explore the lifeboat station, learn more about the RNLI's lifesaving work and discover how donations help keep the charity's lifesaving service operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Throughout the day, the volunteer crew showcased the capabilities of the station's lifeboats with a series of on-the-water demonstrations, giving spectators an insight into the skills, teamwork and commitment needed to respond to emergencies at sea. Visitors also received practical water safety advice, including a demonstration of the RNLI's Float to Live campaign, highlighting the simple technique that could save lives if someone unexpectedly enters the water.

The Open Day was supported by volunteers from Hayling Island RNLI, the Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service who engaged with visitors throughout the day and shared information about their roles in helping to keep people safe.

A fleet of beautifully restored vintage buses added to the occasion, kindly providing a free shuttle service between the station and parking areas, as well as trips along Southsea seafront. The service proved extremely popular with visitors and offered a unique way to travel to and from the event while enjoying Portsmouth's coastline.

The RNLI mascot, Stormy Stan, was a firm favourite with visitors throughout the day, meeting families at the station before hopping aboard one of the vintage buses to wave to residents and visitors along the seafront. The Catch of the Day Sea Shanty Ladies entertained crowds with a selection of traditional sea shanties, while the ever-popular duck race brought plenty of fun and excitement for children and adults alike.

Roy Marsh, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portsmouth RNLI said:

‘Our Open Day is one of the highlights of the year and provides a fantastic opportunity to welcome the community into the station, showcase the dedication of our volunteers and share important water safety messages. We were delighted to see so many people attend, and we'd like to thank everyone who came along, as well as all of the volunteers, organisations and businesses whose support helped make the day such a success.’

Portsmouth RNLI would like to extend its sincere thanks to all of its volunteers, crew members, fundraisers and station supporters whose hard work made the event possible. The station also thanks the many local businesses that generously donated prizes for the Open Day raffle. Their kindness and continued support helped make the raffle a great success, raising valuable funds to support the RNLI's lifesaving work.

Events such as the Open Day play an important role in raising awareness of the RNLI's lifesaving service, sharing lifesaving water safety advice and generating the vital funds needed to ensure Portsmouth's volunteer lifeboat crews remain ready to answer the call whenever they are needed.

Portsmouth RNLI would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the event and looks forward to welcoming the community back to future Open Days.

Ends

Notes to Editors

• Portsmouth RNLI operates an Atlantic 85 'Norma T' and D class 'Dennis Faro' from its station in Langstone Harbour providing a 24-hour search and rescue service delivered by volunteer crews.
• The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. It relies on voluntary donations and the commitment of thousands of volunteers to continue its lifesaving work.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Abi Hinton, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.