BEMBRIDGE Lifeboat Station is hosting Yellow Welly Week, starting tomorrow (Saturday).

The event will run until next Sunday, June 2, and will include a programme of fun and educational activities.

This event supports the RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign — a national initiative aimed at reducing the number of water-related fatalities by a programme of education and information for all users of the marine and water-related environments.

At the lifeboat station during the week, there will be a range of activities offering help and advice for all users of the marine environment, from lifejacket ‘clinics’ for boat users to information on coastal walking, fishing, kayaking, beach safety and all marine activities, including advice for coastal dog walkers.

The offshore boathouse will be open every day from 11am to 4pm for the public to view the all-weather lifeboat at close quarters and join in the activities.

On the less serious side, there will also be a range of fun activities for youngsters, from dressing-up in junior lifeboat crew kit, line-throwing to 'rescue the teddy' and storytelling for the younger visitors in the offshore boathouse to a 'welly-wanging' competition on the beach, for all ages.

The evening training launch of the all-weather lifeboat is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28 at 7pm, which can be viewed from the boathouse and there will also be a chance a to meet the crew, after which hot dogs and drinks will be served by the Lifeboat Guild at the inshore boathouse.

A spokesperson for the event said: "All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting our lifeboats, helping to save lives at sea.

"All of the activities throughout the week are entirely free, so come along and join in — have fun and most importantly, learn how you can keep safe and Respect the Water."

Programme for the week (subject to operational requirements):

  • Saturday, May 25 — coastal safety, line-throwing, lifejacket clinic, beach dog-walking advice and welly-wanging and beach activities, from 11am to 1pm.
  • Sunday, May 26 — boathouse open to visitors, 11am to 4pm.
  • Monday, May 27 — Bembridge street fair, with the D Class inshore lifeboat on display and Lifeboat Guild stand with educational and coastal safety advice and information.
  • Tuesday, May 28 — in the evening, view the training launch of the all-weather lifeboat, meet the crew, and enjoy the 'Hot Dog Sausage Sizzle' at 7pm.
  • Wednesday, May 29 — coastal safety advice, line-throwing, lifejacket clinic, 1pm to 4pm.
  • Thursday, May 30 — education afternoon, 1pm to 4pm.
  • Friday, May 31 — coastal safety advice, line-throwing, lifejacket clinic, beach dog-walking advice, 1pm to 4pm.
  • Saturday, June 1 — boathouse open to visitors, 11am to 4pm.
  • Sunday, June 3 — boathouse open to visitors, 11am to 4pm.