Santa hitches a ride on Ramsgate RNLI's outgoing lifeboat.
On a cold but dry evening hundreds of visitors flocked to Ramsgate Royal Harbour to see Santa be taken around the inner harbour on the front of the outgoing lifeboat Esme Anderson.
This was a suggestion by the volunteer crew to support the Ramsgate Illuminations Event when the boat owners who moor in the harbour, voluntarily light up their boats, and barges for Christmas. They start lighting up as weather permits from early December and remain lit until early January.
The Illuminations started nine years ago when just four boats lit up and has grown to sixty boats a year lighting up, attracting visitors from all over Kent. It's all done in aid of the Ramsgate Lifeboat station, arranged and supported by the local Royal Temple Yacht Club, Ramsgate Town Council and Town team. The local businesses around the harbour, who benefit from the crowds of visitors, donate a fixed amount for each lit up boat to Ramsgate RNLI.
The Esme Anderson, Trent class, has been at Ramsgate for twenty nine years and has recently been taken off service as the Tamar class Diamond Jubilee takes over. Whilst she has been off service and before she goes to her new home at Eastbourne, it was a perfect opportunity to move her into the inner harbour, adorn her with lights and make her part of the Illuminations.
As well as the lit up Trent, the Tamar and the inshore lifeboat Claire and David Delves also toured the harbour making a spectacle for the crowds of young and old. Santa sat at the front of Esme Anderson ringing his golden bell and shouting out Ho Ho Ho whilst Christmas carols rang out. The crew were dancing on the boat and there was a lovely atmosphere with young children screaming with excitement and waving frantically.
The Coxswain Ian Cannon said, ‘ My volunteer crew wanted to say thank you to the people of Ramsgate for all of their support over the years, and also provide a festive memory for the children, including their own children who are in the crowds. It’s also a fabulous last memory with our beloved lifeboat Esme Anderson which has kept us safe and served us well for nearly thirty years. ‘
Karen Cox Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer. Email [email protected] Tel 07779848431
Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London and South East. Email [email protected] Tel 07785296252.
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The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
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