Join Portsmouth RNLI for their annual Open Day this July

Running from 11am until 3pm, the event will give visitors the opportunity to meet the volunteer crew, discover how the station operates and enjoy a packed afternoon of family-friendly entertainment on the seafront.

Guests will be able to watch live lifeboat displays featuring Portsmouth RNLI’s Atlantic 85 and D class lifeboats, alongside a selection of neighbouring and historic lifeboats. Station volunteers will also be offering guided tours throughout the day, giving the public a closer look at the lifesaving equipment, launch vehicles and daily operations involved in keeping crews rescue-ready.

Alongside the on-water demonstrations, there will be a variety of stalls, games and activities suitable for all ages, with RNLI mascot Stormy Stan making a special appearance during the event. A fundraising raffle, supported by donations from local businesses, will also take place with a wide range of prizes available to win.

Visitors can once again make use of the Vintage Seafront Bus Service, travelling aboard a heritage TD4 bus between The D-Day Story and Hayling Ferry, with additional stops at South Parade Pier and St George’s Road. There will be an additional shuttle bus running from the Fort Cumberland Car Park at the end of Ferry road to the Lifeboat Station and back throughout the day. This will be a free service operated by CPPTD who are funded entirely by donations.

Roy Marsh, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portsmouth RNLI, said:

‘Our Open Day is always a brilliant opportunity for people to come and meet the volunteers behind Portsmouth RNLI and see first-hand what goes into saving lives at sea.

‘The support we receive from the local community means a huge amount to all of us, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the station for another enjoyable day on the seafront.’

As parking around the lifeboat station is extremely limited, visitors are encouraged to use public transport or take advantage of the vintage bus service.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

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

Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [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.