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Sunday 3rd March 10:00am - 3pm Plymouth RNLI will be at the Royal William Yard to mark the magnificent milestone of the RNLI’s 200th year, a day of celebrations will take place at the waterfront destination and will host a jam-packed day of free activities, including the chance to climb aboard lifeboats in the marina, watch daring demonstrations, enjoy sea shanty performances, and discover the remarkable history of the RNLI during its anniversary year.Four RNLI lifeboats, Plymouths Severn Class All Weather Lifeboat (Sybil Mullen Glover) the largest in the fleet , Plymouth and Looe’s Atlantic 85 class lifeboat’s and the Beautifully kept Tyne Class lifeboat will be moored in The Royal William Yard Marina, which will be the backdrop for live sea rescue demonstrations. The volunteer crew will welcome visitors on board the lifeboats throughout the day before the flotilla sets sail at 3pm for a procession accompanied by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter ( Rescue 924 ) from Newquay - across the Hoe to close the event.
Adding to the party atmosphere, live music will come courtesy of shanty band, the Tavy Tars, performing songs from the sea. The event will provide plenty of entertainment for all, while also raising funds to help support the work of the RNLI and its 238 lifeboat stations and 242 lifeguard protected beaches.
As well as all the action on the water, the RNLI team will provide information and entertainment back on dry land with the RNLI fundraising team, RNLI shop, Water Safety Team, Coastguard Rescue Team, and Dartmoor Search and Rescue all in attendance. At the RNLI stall, children can have fun trying on lifeboat crew uniforms, with custom-made Helly Hansen kids’ kits.
Families can get involved in a RNLI-themed interactive trail, exploring Royal William Yard to uncover fascinating facts about the charity and delve into its remarkable history. Plymouth was one of the first places on the coast of Great Britain to have a lifeboat, and has played a pivotal role since the RNLI was founded in 1824.
Live event schedule:
10am-2:45pm – The Severn class, Plymouth and Looe’s Atlantic 85 class and the Tyne class lifeboats will be open to the public to board and explore, making the perfect activity in between the other live events below.
10:30-11am – Tavy Tars shanty group performance
11:30-12:30 – man overboard recovery demonstration
12:30-1pm – Tavy Tars shanty group performance
1:30-2:45pm – event, activities and final performance from the Tavy Tars on the Green
3pm – all lifeboats will depart Royal William Yard and will be joined by Rescue 924 the Coastguard Helicopter from Newquay for a procession across the Hoe foreshore.
With activity unfolding site-wide, visitors can make a day of it and enjoy Royal William Yard's popular monthly Good Food & Draft Market, taking place alongside the RNLI’s big birthday bash. The market will run from 10am-3pm and showcase the region’s best producers and artisans, with food, drink and treats aplenty.
The 4th of March is our official anniversary
On our birthday Monday 4 March, there is a service at Westminster Abbey. This special service on the official 200th anniversary of the RNLI is our opportunity, as members of the RNLI family, to celebrate the wonderful communities who have served this great institution. We will commemorate those who have served, those we have saved and those we have lost, and look to the future of the next 200 years of lifesaving.
Making it even easier to enjoy the day of celebrations, there will be a free dedicated shuttle bus service running in a loop from the City Centre to Royal William Yard and back every half hour. The hop-on hop-off service has two pick-up points in town and runs from 10am to 3:30pm.
The Shuttle Bus information can be found at: https://royalwilliamyard.com/visit/shuttle-bus
To find out more about the RNLI 200 visit: https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Royal William Yard, Plymouth, United Kingdom