BOAT owners in Weymouth and Portland are being invited to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as part of a spectacular parade of boats next month.

Residents and visitors with vessels around borough waters are welcome to join in the fun on Sunday, June 3.

It has been 115 years since the last Diamond Jubilee was held for Britain’s longest-reigning British monarch Queen Victoria.

Former commodore of the Royal Dorset Yacht Club (RDYC) Gareth Peaston has renewed his call for everyone to get involved.

He said: “We want everybody that’s got a boat to come along and join us.

“The more the merrier – let’s make it a really good celebration to mark our monarch’s Diamond Jubilee.

“We’ve got people taking part who are on the Royal Yachting Association’s Passage to Portland event at Portland Marina.”

Weymouth’s Parade of Boats will begin at 10am with a normal bridge lift.

The spectacle will include a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) demonstration off Weymouth pier-head, using both inshore and offshore lifeboats, at 10.20am.

For safety reasons, with the exception of Weymouth Rowing Club gigs, the event will be under engine power – not sail. Dinghies may be towed although no more than two per tug.

At 10.30am the committee boat ‘Wahinee Waves’ will be anchored in the harbour entrance, and Portland Coastguard’s search and rescue helicopter – subject to operational requirements – will join the lifeboats at 10.40am for a further demonstration.

Participating boats will assemble between the old pier and Bowleaze at 10.45am and 10 minutes later the lifeboats will lead the parade of decorated boats towards the harbour entrance.

Gunfire from Nothe Fort at 11am will mark the parade’s route through the harbour entrance.

All boats will travel up the harbour, salute guests and dignitaries at RDYC on Custom House Quay before rounding a buoy by the coastguard offices and returning to sea. After the parade, all participants are invited to attend a barbecue at the RDYC.

Call the Royal Dorset Yacht Club on 786258 or send an email to info@royaldorset.com

* Boats will parade in the order of: RNLI, Dorset Police, Royal Dorset Yacht Club and UK Offshore Boating Association (UKOBA), Royal Naval Sailing Association, Weymouth Sailing Club, Castle Cove Sailing Club, Weymouth and Portland Cruising Association, Weymouth Rowing Club, Weymouth Marina, Weymouth Town Marina, Portland Marina, The Royal Yachting Association ‘Passage to Portland’ participants, Sea Cadets, visitors and unaffiliated boat owners.