MORE than 1,000 people visited Bembridge Lifeboat Station's annual open day, inspecting the inshore and all-weather lifeboats and enjoying the entertainment.

The important message of how to keep safe in, on or around the sea, was highlighted by the Bembridge lifeboat’s coastal safety team giving out valuable advice, together with the Coastguard, which also attended Saturday's event.

At midday, the offshore boathouse was packed with spectators to witness the launch of the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat “Alfred Albert Williams” which, together with the inshore lifeboat “Norman Harvey” entertained the crowds with a thrilling simulated rescue and display, close to the shoreline, demonstrating how the lifeboats operate in an emergency.

Over the course of the day, more than £3,500 in support of the lifeboats was raised from sales of RNLI goods, refreshments, and from donation collections.