VISITORS and residents are being invited to join the lifeboat crew to bless the boats later this month.

Members of RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis are welcoming everyone to the annual Blessing of the Boats, as well as offering the opportunity for members of the public to find out more about the group.

The Blessing of the Boats inter-denominational service remembers those who have lost their lives at sea and acknowledges and blesses all those who go to sea professionally or for fun. Wreathes are laid in the sea and the service is led by local clergy.

As well as the short family service, the crew is also holding an open day to show how people can fundraise and support the charity.

During the open day, volunteer lifeboat crew and members of the fundraisers, the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters Group, will be on hand to talk about all aspects of volunteering for the charity.

The supporters organise many fundraising events throughout the year, including Lifeboat Week, which this year starts on July 27.

Ken Lavery, chairman of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters Group, said: “Lifeboat Week is our major fundraising event and donations during the week regularly total around £30,000.

“Our volunteers are incredibly enthusiastic, but we could always do with more help so we thought we would hold an open day in the hope that we might interest more people to join us.

“We are a very friendly group and there are plenty of social activities during the year.”

Lifeboat operations manager Nick Marks also hopes the open day will attract some interest from men and women who may want to join the volunteer crew.

He said: “We hope the open day will give an opportunity for visitors to discuss with us how the lifeboat operation works and if we find a few people who would like to join the crew, so much better.”

So far this year, Lyme Regis lifeboat crew has answered six emergency calls. Last year’s total was 40 ‘shouts’.

Anyone interested in joining the supporters group can do so on May 26 or call membership secretary Anne Marks on 07802 675985.

The Blessing of the Boats service will be conducted by local clergy and accompanied by Lyme Regis Town Band, taking place on Sunday, May 26.