20/07/2026
Dover RNLI hosted a very successful Emergency Services Day on Sunday 19 July on the Marina Curve at Dover’s Western Harbour. Under sunny skies the annual event attracted hundreds of visitors who saw the work of the various professional and volunteer organisations who collaborate alongside each other to provide emergency cover and response to incidents at sea and along the coastline.
There were static displays and demonstrations with staff, equipment and vehicles from: - Kent Police Response Team, Kent Police Rural Task Force, Port of Dover Police, HM Coastguard, Kent Bloodrunners, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, British Transport Police, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Trevor Boston and his model lifeboats and the Salvation Army (who provided free teas and coffees).
The RNLI team also gave tours of the all-weather lifeboat, the Duke of Kent, **with over 400 people going on-board**. There were over 250 water safety messages delivered, and the free lifejacket check was popular with the berth-holders from the marina. Of the 7 lifejackets checked, 4 failed due to being out-of-date including one which was condemned having worn/frayed cover and webbing, and a cylinder completely corroded and unscrewed from the actuator.
It was a great success and a massive thank you goes out to all the RNLI volunteers who hosted the event on the day as well as to the staff and volunteers from all the other emergency services, and to Kings Ices ice cream van who donated 15% of takings. A special thanks also to the crews of the Walmer and Littlestone lifeboats who came along in support and showed off their own lifeboats.
And finally, a big thank you to our supporters who turned up and for their generous donations on the day.
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
RNLI Walmer Lifeboat
