News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Date: 31/05/2009	Rye Harbour 005 2009

Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station Open Day 2009

Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station will open their doors to the general public on Saturday 6 June 2009 between 10 am and 3 pm for their annual open day. During the day there will be rescue displays in the river and a visit from flanking station all weather lifeboats (subject to operation requirements) as well as the Storm Force mascot Stormy Stan. This is a great opportunity to come and meet the crew and station personnel, visit the station and view the equipment. There will also be food and refreshments, cake stall, souvenirs,tombola, raffle and more. This year there will also be a cheque presentation by the Cinque Port Morris Men along with some Morris dancing.

The RNLI provides nine out of ten sea rescue launches, continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income. It cost on average around £378,000 per day in 2008. 2p in every £1 is lost to the taxman in irrecoverable VAT.

Steve Tollett, Chairman of Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Management Group, said: ‘The Open Day is such a great family day, there is plenty to see and do - it is an excellent opportunity to come and see what happens at Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station plus also see the All Weather Lifeboats from Dungeness and Hastings (subject to operational requirements).’

Notes to editors

Photo's Stormy Stan at the Open Day - courtesy of Rye Harbour lifeboat station
Rye Harbour lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/ryeharbour

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Steve Tollett, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on news@ryeharbourlifeboat.co.uk or Tim Ash, Deputy Media Relations Manager South East and London on 07785 296252 or tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

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

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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland