All welcome at Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station

Next week sees a unique opportunity in Ilfracombe. For the first time, the lifeboat station is having an open day. This free event is a chance to have a good look around the station, chat to volunteers, including boat crew, about what life is like in RNLI Ilfracombe, and have a tour of the all-weather lifeboat.

The station will be open from 12 noon on Saturday 25^th March and you can pop in at any point during this time. Have a look at our information boards and historic panels listing rescues in the early years of the Ilfracombe lifeboats. See the model lifeboats, built by a local craftsman to be incredibly accurate replicas of not only our current Shannon lifeboat, but also lifeboats from previous years.

Additionally, between noon and 2pm, there is a lifejacket clinic. Lifejackets do not last forever and it is sometimes not clear how to wear them so that they are effective. Visitors are welcome to bring along their own lifejackets so that they can be checked to ensure that they will work the next time they are needed.

Volunteers will be on hand all afternoon to show visitors around the high-tech interior of the all-weather lifeboat. This is a great opportunity to find out how rescues are carried out.

There will also be water safety information, and information about opportunities for people to help in the work of saving lives at sea. There are currently around a hundred volunteers doing their bit to help save lives at sea – these include people who work in the shop, help out at fundraising events, take photos, take part in committees as well as those directly involved in rescues such as the boat and shore crews.

Refreshments available. Everyone welcome on the day to stay for as long or as little as they like.

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.