Lifesavers at sea are to be recognised by square-rigger sailors. Organisers of the Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta have selected the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as the nominated charity for the 2014 event in Falmouth, which takes place from 28 to 31 August.

Trainee crew are now being recruited to participate in the race, which starts on Sunday 31 August, and takes the historic vessels from Falmouth, along the south coast to the finish line off the Isle of Wight. The Tall Ships will then continue to London, sailing up the River Thames to the finish at the port of Royal Greenwich for a further five days of celebrations.

During the Regatta the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew in Falmouth will provide a reassuring presence, while the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews from all 16 stations along the route of the race will, as usual, be on call 24 hours a day to provide assistance if needed.

The charity’s station in Falmouth was opened in 1867 and houses an all-weather Severn class lifeboat Richard Cox Scott and an inshore lifeboat, Eve Pank. The RNLI also provide a lifeguard service on over 200 beaches across the UK, including on Falmouth’s Gyllyngvase beach.  

In addition to the obvious maritime link, the RNLI have a close connection to the event and Tall Ships. The volunteer lifeboat crews at Falmouth, Sennen and St Mary’s spent a combined 67 hours at sea in 2010 escorting the fishing boat Nova Spero in towing the dismasted Polish Tall Ship Fryderyck Chopin into Falmouth in very difficult conditions. The Tall Ship was on route to the Caribbean when the incident happened with 34 trainees onboard. The volunteer lifeboat crew received a letter of thanks from the Polish Ambassador for their part in the operation to bring the ship into port safely.

Guy Botterill is RNLI Community Fundraising Manager for Cornwall says;

‘The RNLI are extremely proud to be the nominated charity for what promises to be a spectacular event in Falmouth and look forward to an exciting four days of festivities before the trainees set sail to the Isle of Wight.

Falmouth will have an extensive programme of events throughout the town, with an expected 100,000 visitors during the Regatta. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the charity to meet so many people, the station will be open to visitors and we’re looking for fundraising volunteers who would like to help with street collections. For volunteering opportunities please contact myself on 07774 436 265 and guy_botterill@rnli.org.uk’