Join Portsmouth RNLI for their annual open day this July
On Sunday 13 July, Portsmouth RNLI is inviting the public to visit the lifeboat station for their annual Open Day. Come meet the volunteer crew, explore the station’s lifesaving equipment up close and find out about the vital work of Portsmouth RNLI.
Join us for a fantastic day out for the whole family at Portsmouth RNLI! We’re throwing open our doors for a day packed full of fun, action, and community spirit.
On the day, visitors can enjoy lifeboat demonstrations featuring Portsmouth RNLI’s Atlantic and D class lifeboats, as well as vintage lifeboats and lifeboats from neighbouring stations. Volunteers will be leading guided tours of the lifeboat station, giving the public a chance to see the station’s launch tractors up close and learn what it takes to keep the charity’s lifesaving equipment in peak condition.
There will be games and activities for all ages, including a special appearance by Stormy Stan. Visitors can also take part in a big raffle, with a fantastic selection of prizes kindly donated by local businesses. And that’s not all — there’s plenty more still to be announced!
The open day coincides with the free Vintage Seafront Bus Service – hop on a heritage TD4 bus from The D-Day Story to Hayling Ferry. Allowing visitors to arrive at the lifeboat station in style! Visitors can also board the vintage bus service at south parade pier, and St George's Road.
Roy Marsh, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘Portsmouth RNLI is lucky and grateful to have the full support of the community for our lifesaving work. We’re all local people, and we’re all volunteers, so we always enjoy opening our doors to let everyone find out more about what we do and how we save lives at sea.
‘Our volunteers are ready to welcome you to our open day, on Sunday 13 July. We’ve got a number of exiting and fun activities planned, that will appeal to everyone!’
Portsmouth RNLI recommends that visitors take advantage of the free Vintage Bus Service, due to very limited parking at the lifeboat station.
Join us, on Sunday 13 July, from 10am – 4pm.
Find us:
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Ferry Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 9LY
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Notes to editors
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Portsmouth Lifeboat Station has been providing search and rescue for the eastern Solent since 1965.
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Atlantic 85’s are one of the fastest boats in the RNLI fleet, with top speeds of 35knts. Atlantic’s are ideal for rescues close to shore, near cliffs and rocks – areas inaccessible to our all-weather lifeboats.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Sam Carragher, Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.