A MARINE parade will in Weymouth Harbour will mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a Parade of Sail is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 14, at 6.30pm.

More than 60 vessels are planning to make up the flotilla.

They will muster in Weymouth Bay before entering the harbour at 6.30pm, with the Weymouth Severn Class Lifeboat, the Ernest and Mabel, at the head of the arade.

Two restored vintage lifeboats and two of the Dunkirk Little Ships will also be in the parade alongside yachts, motor cruisers, fishing and pleasure boats and RIBs.

Crowds are urged to enjoy the event from either side of the harbour.

The vessels will travel through the harbour, turning at The Cove, before returning to Weymouth Bay.

Boats taking part have been asked to monitor both VHF Channel 72 for event information and VHF Channel 12, Weymouth Harbour Radio, for safety announcements and vessel traffic information.

The harbour will be closed to all boat traffic not involved in the event between the Town Bridge and the Harbour Entrance from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.

As vessels return to their berths after the event, the Town Bridge will remain open for longer than usual to allow all vessels to move through the area safely.

Access for vehicles and pedestrians over the Town Bridge will not be possible during this time.

The Weymouth Lifeboat station operates two lifeboats; a Severn class All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) named Ernest and Mabel and an Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) the Jack & Phyl Cleare.

READ MORE: Weymouth lifeboat volunteers celebrate 200 years of RNLI

The two different crafts allow volunteers to select the best resource and crew to address the specific need and target the best possible outcome.

Weymouth Lifeboat Station was established by the RNLI in 1869 to give assistance to vessels in distress on the north and east sides of Weymouth Bay.

During 2023 the Weymouth volunteer crews attended 92 calls for assistance, helping 114 people, and recorded one life being saved.

During this period Local Notice to Mariners 05/24 - RNLI ANNIVERSARY PARADE OF SAIL will be in force.