Great Attendance at Kippford RNLI Open Day

Kippford RNLI welcomed visitors to their first open day in 4 years on Saturday and were overjoyed with the success of the event.

The volunteers had worked hard in the run up to the day to ensure the facilities were ready to welcome the public. The fundraising team provided endless supplies of tea, coffee and home made cakes whilst the water safety team talked to people about the dangers around our coastline.

Families had the chance to view Kippford’s D Class lifeboat Ronnie Sinclair up close and chat to the crew about the equipment and their role at the station. Lifeboats from Workington RNLI, Kirkcudbright RNLI and Nith Inshore Rescue also arrived at Kippford along with the Portling Coastguard Rescue Team.

Observers were able to watch a demonstration of all 4 boats working together to transfer a stretcher between them and then run some man overboard drills. The coastguard team also demonstrated their rope set up for cliff rescue at the side of the water.

The crew from Workington RNLI kindly allowed visitors on board their Shannon Class lifeboat Dorothy May White and spent time explaining some of the equipment on board.

The forecasted bad weather did not arrive in Kippford and everyone was able to enjoy themselves in dry and pleasant conditions. The day was rounded off with a disco and buffet for ticket holders in the Anchor Hotel which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Notes to editors

· Kippford Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1966

• Photo 1 shows Kippford RNLI Volunteer Crew - Photo credit Kippford RNLI
  
  
• Photo 2 shows all 4 lifeboats arriving at Kippford - Photo credit Chris Mason of Chris's Quest Lifeboat Station Tour

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Laura Wilson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Kippford RNLI, 07756 125917, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer(Scotland), 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Manager (Scotland), 07920 365929 or [email protected]

RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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