Grand sail past will mark 100 years of saving lives for Hayling Island RNLI

A CENTURY of saving lives will be celebrated with a grand sailpast by RNLI lifeboats.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Apr 2016, 06:30 BST

Hayling Island RNLI is celebrating 100 years of service to the community with a sailpast of boats on Saturday, May 7.

The event starts at 12.30pm.

Alan Bartlett, from Hayling RNLI, said: ‘Hayling Lifeboat Station opened in 1865 and operated until 1924 when the station closed due to motor lifeboats being established at Bembridge and Selsey.

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‘But because of the need for fast inshore rescues, RNLI lifeboats returned to Hayling in 1975 and have been here ever since.

‘In the 100 years we have saved 543 lives and rescued 1,802 people. Lifeboats have launched 2,762 times, and in the recent past we average 70 to 80 launches per year.’

The Bishop of Portsmouth will re-dedicate the lifeboat station at the event.

The Terror, a touring oyster boat, will lead the sailpast from Hayling Island Sailing Club.

It is hoped other boats will join the parade. See haylinglifeboats.org.uk/events.

Related topics:RNLISelseyPortsmouth