Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat Station at Lane End, Bembridge will be the centre of attention at the station’s annual Open Day on Saturday 17th August.
Visitors will be welcomed between 11:00-16:30 to view both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats at close quarters, as well as learning more about the work of the volunteers and witnessing a rescue demonstration.
The Open Day promises to be both an entertaining and instructive day out for all the family with members of the crew and Lifeboat Guild on hand to explain how the lifeboats operate and respond in an emergency.
The RNLI shop will be open all day selling lifeboat goods, gifts and clothing and there will be stalls selling books, jewellery and bric-a-brac amongst other items with sideshows and games and entertainment for all the family.
Just after midday, the Tamar-class All Weather Lifeboat ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ will launch into the sea to carry out a combined display together with the inshore lifeboat. This will be viewable from both the boathouse and from the shore. This is subject to operational availability on the day.
The Bembridge Lifeboat Guild members will be serving cold drinks, teas, coffees, homemade cakes and refreshments from their stall throughout the day.
In conjunction with the RNLI’s “Respect the Water” campaign, the RNLI Sea Safety stand will be present, together with the HM Coastguard to offer valuable safety advice on how to keep safe in a marine environment. There will also be a ‘lifejacket clinic’ for anyone to bring their lifejackets along to be checked for safety and seaworthiness.
In the offshore boathouse, youngsters will be able to dress up in junior lifeboat kit to have their photos taken and maybe become involved in lifeboats through the junior “Stormforce” membership scheme.
The event is entirely free, but all money from donations, RNLI sales and refreshments will go directly towards supporting the life-saving service.
