Throughout 2024 the RNLI is staging events to mark its major milestone and on Friday May 17, a festival of lifeboats took place at its headquarters in Poole, many stations along the south coast taking part. RNLI Rye Harbour was represented by the LOM Paul Bolton and his wife Claire, crew members Lucy Green and Iain Cebunka and station chairman Martin Bruce singing the celebratory shanty he had been commissioned to write. I was there to photograph the weekend including the amazing Parade of Sail. Some of our European neighbours were there with their lifeboats: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France and the Netherlands, all so very different.
There was an amazing buzz all weekend with so many things to watch: lifeguard demonstrations; seeing who could get their lifeboat crew kit on the fastest; simulator demonstrations; and watching crew capsize boats and recovery. There were two stages on which various shanty groups and the RNLI choir sang, and the 200th anniversary shanty had eight outings, the crowds joining in the chorus.
The weekend concluded with a wonderful Parade of Sail, the lifeboats from Europe, the RNLI vessels and veteran boats which are now privately owned all taking part. The pictures tell the story better than words.
Lucy Green said:” It was such an honour to take part in this festival and it was good to welcome our European neighbours and learn how they tackle saving lives at sea in their countries. we are all one crew with the same aim.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .