Step aboard Hoylake and West Kirby lifeboats this weekend

The ‘meet and greet’ day takes place on Saturday (July 13) from 10am until 4pm at Hoylake Lifeboat Station on North Parade.

Visitors will have the chance to see up close Hoylake RNLI’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat and hovercraft and West Kirby RNLI’s inshore IB1 lifeboat.

Visitors are invited to step aboard the Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI lifeboats at their 'meet and greet' day on Saturday (July 13) (Image: Hoylake RNLI) The stations’ launch and recovery vehicles will also be on display, including Hoylake’s Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) and West Kirby’s Hagglund BV206 launch vehicle - the only vehicle of its type based on station in the RNLI.

The two lifeboat stations’ volunteer crews will be showcasing how they work together with their specialist rescue equipment to save lives at sea and around the region’s coast. The Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team and the local British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) will also be displaying the kit they use to save people and marine mammals.

The Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team and BDMLR will also be displaying their search and rescue equipment (Image: RNLI/Siân Holmes) A range of RNLI gifts and souvenirs will be on sale, including the RNLI’s ever-popular Christmas cards and calendars. Refreshments including teas, coffees and sweet treats will also be available to purchase in the boathouse.

With public parking limited on North Parade, visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible.

Last year’s 'meet and greet' day raised more than £4,400 to fund the lifesaving work of the RNLI.

Last year’s Meet & Greet Day raised £4,483.33 for the RNLI (Image: RNLI/Siân Holmes)

Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Howie Owen said: "We’re so grateful to our incredible community for supporting their local lifeboat crews, who are always on call 24/7.

"Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI’s Meet & Greet Day is always a fantastic opportunity for our supporters to see the lifesaving boats and kit that their donations help to fund."

Howie added: "We’re especially thrilled to be opening up our doors in the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year as we commemorate our history, celebrate the bravery and commitment of our current volunteers, and hope to inspire future generations to join and support our maritime search and rescue service."

To donate online directly and support the lifeboat stations go to: https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Hoylake