People in Lowestoft will have the chance to show their support for the town's lifeboat crew this Sunday (July 26) as the Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat station holds its annual open day.

It is an opportunity to find out more about the local lifeboat and the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) charity.

Visitors will have the chance to meet some of the volunteer crew at the station on South Pier from 10.30am on Sunday and also see the new all-weather Shannon-class offshore lifeboat Patsy Knight.

There will also be a photographic exhibition showing the town's lifeboat in action, as well as an opportunity to enjoy light refreshments while watching videos of past lifeboat rescues.

Subject to operational requirements, the Patsy Knight lifeboat will give a demonstration of lifesaving techniques at 2pm. It is hoped that the Southwold inshore lifeboat, the Annie Tranmer, and the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston offshore lifeboat, Samarbeta, will also take part in a mock rescue – which can be watched from the newly-reopened easterly end of South Pier, or from the nearby promenade.

Afterwards there is an open invitation to join the crew and volunteer station officials for the annual 'Blessing of the lifeboat' service at 3pm at the lifeboat station, which will be led by port missioner Tim Jenkins together with the Salvation Army.

A spokesman for Lowestoft Lifeboat said: 'Lifeboat crews could not carry out the rescues they do without people supporting the RNLI – so everyone is encouraged to come along and find out more.'

The lifeboat gift shop, on the South Pier, will be open on Sunday as usual.

HISTORY OF TOWN'S LIFEBOAT

Lowestoft is one of the oldest lifeboat stations in the country, with a lifeboat stationed in the town since 1801.

The RNLI's latest state-of-the-art lifesaving vessel – Patsy Knight – arrived on station in Lowestoft last September.

Although it is not practical for visitors to go on board the lifeboat this Sunday they can view it from the mooring pontoon, where crew will be on hand to point out features on the craft.

Lowestoft lifeboat has already launched on service 12 times this year.

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 more than 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 140 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 more than 137,000 lives.

Have you got a Lowestoft story? Email mark.boggis@archant.co.uk