Arrival of RNLB 'Diamond Jubilee' at Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour

She was escorted into the harbour by Ramsgate’s current Trent Class lifeboat 14-02 RNLB Esme Anderson and the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats from Ramsgate and flank stations Margate and Walmer.

Once the crew complete their training on the new lifeboat, RNLB Esme Anderson, which has been at Ramsgate since 1994, will go to Poole for a refit before beginning her new role in the RNLI.

All associated with Ramsgate RNLI are pleased to welcome, for the first time, a station ALB (all-weather lifeboat) named in honour of a monarch, our late Queen Elizabeth II, into the UK’s only Royal Harbour.

The title “Royal” was conferred on Ramsgate Harbour by King George IV by, as so often happens in our history, a quirk of fate.

Unfortunately, his “arranged” marriage to Caroline was not a happy one and he even barred her from his coronation. Being Hanoverian they both, separately, travelled by ship to the Continent.

In 1821 Caroline was the first to travel via Dover where she was cheered by the townspeople both on departure and return. Knowing this George decided he would avoid Dover and travel via Ramsgate where he was greeted, entertained and cheered by the residents. As a result, shortly after his return, the title was conferred.

RNLI Media contacts

· John Ray, Acting Ramsgate Press Officer, 07759 480825, [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

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· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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 or by email.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

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.