Hastings RNLI supports Blessing of the Sea
The annual Blessing of the Sea event took place on the last day of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week, Sunday 11 August, off the harbour arm in Hastings Old Town, with the support of Hastings RNLI.
The ecumenical service was conducted by Rev Mat Phipps, priest in charge of Hastings Old Town Parish, and Deacon Duncan Brown, Parish Deacon of St Mary Star Of The Sea Parish, with the Salvation Army band. Dozens of people attended the event, including Cllr Becca Horn, the mayor of Hastings. Hastings RNLI's all weather lifeboat, Richard and Caroline Colton was parked on the lifeboat station apron, and the volunteer crew of the Hastings inshore lifeboat Richard Francis laid a memorial wreath on the sea.
Local RNLI volunteers, and volunteers from the Old Town Parish, served refreshments afterwards in the lifeboat house.
Rev Mat Phipps said :- “The sea is at the heart of the Old Town, and I was delighted to be able to help take this important service with Deacon Duncan Brown from St Mary Star of the Sea, and with the support of the Salvation Army. I am very grateful to all of those who made it possible, particularly our friends from the RNLI.”
Paul Freathy, the chair of the Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Management Group, who also read one of the lessons, added :- “The Hastings lifeboats’ links to the Hastings community are really important and it was great to be able to take part in such a traditional service for all who use and enjoy the sea.”
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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