The Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine Harbourside has announced an exciting partnership with Troon Lifeboat Station and RNLI South Clyde Branch as part of the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary.
This Spring and Summer, visitors to the Museum on Irvine Harbourside can enjoy a special exhibition and a raft of activities celebrating the lifesaving charity’s remarkable past and, it is hoped, a future where the RNLI can save everyone in need.
The exhibition features model boats and authentic crew kit. Visitors can also dive into educational resources on sea safety, apprenticeships and volunteering.
The exhibition and activities have been designed to engage both young minds and seasoned sailors alike.
Visitors to this weekend’s Ship Ahoy! event at the Museum, and the upcoming Summer market, can also chat to the RNLI teams in person and learn more about the lifesaving charity.
Claire Munro, Learning and Access Manager at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says, 'The RNLI believes that every person at risk from drowning can be saved through rescue and water safety work.
'For this reason, we’re delighted to celebrate the charity’s achievements and also offer activities which will help all our visitors, whatever age, learn more about water safety. It is a particularly important message for the Museum as we sit on Irvine Harbourside.
'The RNLI lifeboat crews, lifeguards and water safety campaigns keep thousands from harm every year. We also hope by partnering with RNLI Troon and RNLI South Clyde Branch we can help raise awareness and attract more people to get involved or support this hugely important local lifesaving charity.'
Vincent McWhirter from RNLI Troon Lifeboat adds, 'The first hundred years saw us evolve lifeboats from oar and sail-powered vessels to the first motor rescue craft.
'During our second century, those lifeboats developed almost beyond recognition and we added lifeguards, water safety and international projects to our lifesaving work. Today, we’re saving more people, in more ways, in more places.
'We are delighted to partner with the Scottish Maritime Museum in this major milestone year. We hope everyone will enjoy our new exhibition and activities, which together commemorate our remarkable past, celebrate our lifesaving achievements today, and inspire a future where we can save everyone.
'We also look forward to meeting existing supporters and new faces at Museum events over coming months.'
The RNLI exhibition runs until 30 September 2024.
The Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine Harbourside is open daily, 10am – 5pm.
Up to three children gain free entry with each Adult/Concession ticket.
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.
