RNLI 200th anniversary marked in South Devon
Transcript
00:00 A reassuring sight to see ferries everywhere, but this is one that you don't often see.
00:06 I am here on the Torbay lifeboat, we're doing about 20 knots and we're on our way back into
00:12 Brixton where there's going to be a blessing of the fleet.
00:15 Six lifeboats from five stations between Exmouth and Solcombe putting on a show. It's to mark
00:21 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
00:25 You get a feeling that you're helping people, that was the reason I joined, obviously to try and give people
00:31 a helping hand when times were hard. With a bit of knowledge that I had,
00:36 hopefully it can get someone out of the very sticky situation.
00:40 Today's fleet would be unrecognisable to the lifeboat crews of 200 years ago.
00:45 Back then the vessels were oar and sail powered.
00:49 Things are always changing, the technology on our boats has changed considerably.
00:55 Lifeboat crew have changed considerably, but the ethos is the same. So it's about saving
01:02 lives at sea, it's about going to sea when everyone else isn't.
01:05 Hundreds of people welcomed the fleet into Brixton harbour.
01:10 And ask for God's blessing on the RNLI.
01:14 Their arrival followed by a service blessing the boats, the crews and their families.
01:19 It was beautiful to be singing hymns like Eternal Father, Bide With Me, and seeing and looking
01:26 around, seeing everyone stood around singing, watching the service and taking part.
01:31 We'll hear more about the RNLI's work on Spotlight tomorrow, when we'll be live from Exmouth.
01:36 Joanna Carr, BBC Spotlight, Brixton.
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