Hundreds of people gathered around Weymouth harbour at a special marine parade to mark the 200th anniversary of a life-saving service. 

On the evening of Tuesday, May 14, more than sixty boats mustered into Weymouth Bay before entering the harbour for a Parade of Sail event hosted by Weymouth Lifeboat and Weymouth Lifeboat Fundraising Team. 

The event was held to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Dorset Echo: Hundreds gathered around Weymouth harbour for the Parade of the Sail eventHundreds gathered around Weymouth harbour for the Parade of the Sail event (Image: Trevor Bevins)

More than sixty boats made up the flotilla, mustering in Weymouth Bay before entering the harbour at 6.30pm.

The sun shone over the vessels worked their way up the harbour before turning in the Cove by the Harbour Master's office and going back out into the bay.

The Weymouth Severn Class Lifeboat, the Ernest and Mabel, was at the head of the parade followed by two restored vintage lifeboats, two of the Dunkirk Little Ships, yachts, motor cruisers, fishing and pleasure boats and RIBs.

Dorset Echo: More than sixty boats mustered in Weymouth Bay before entering Weymouth harbour More than sixty boats mustered in Weymouth Bay before entering Weymouth harbour (Image: Weymouth Lifeboat)

Weymouth Concert Brass band also performed on the quayside opposite the lifeboat station from 5.30pm to the start of the parade. The music group also performed after the boats returned into the bay.

Nick Critchell, a spokesperson for Weymouth Lifeboat Station, said: “We were extremely pleased to see more than sixty boats of all sizes turn out to participate in the Parade of Sail, as we continue to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI’s founding.

Dorset Echo: Weymouth lifeboat's Parade of Sail event marked the 200th anniversary of the RNLIWeymouth lifeboat's Parade of Sail event marked the 200th anniversary of the RNLI (Image: Weymouth Lifeboat)

“The atmosphere in and around the harbour, with Weymouth Concert Brass band playing, and hundreds of people lining the quayside to watch the parade was special.”

“The level of attendance and support shown was greatly appreciated by the volunteer crews aboard the all-weather and inshore lifeboat and lifeguard support boat who were at the head of the parade. “

“We look forward to further events later in the year, including the Weymouth Lifeboat Week which will start on July 28.”

Dorset Echo: RNLI 's 200th Anniversary Dunkirk Little Ship Our LizzieRNLI 's 200th Anniversary Dunkirk Little Ship Our Lizzie (Image: Dave Stephens)

The RNLI was founded in a London tavern on March 4, 1824, following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks.

Weymouth is one of the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat stations on England’s south coast, operating two lifeboats – Ernest and Mabel, a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, and Jack and Phyl Cleare, a B class Atlantic 85.