Visitors to the Earls Court Boat Show have an opportunity to witness first hand, the RNLI’s life-saving work aboard their lifeboat training simulator. Step onto the bridge of a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, accelerate down the slipway and out into the swollen seas to search for that stricken yacht.

More than half of all launches in 2007 were to help recreational sea users in leisure craft, and the RNLI are hoping to raise awareness of their work, and more importantly how it is funded, to all those recreational boaters expected at the show.

The RNLI’s national campaigns manager, Andy Whyte, said, “I’d like to put out an SOS to all sail, power and watersports enthusiasts attending the show, on behalf of all the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards!

“As a charity, we rely on the generosity of public donations to help keep our lifeboats afloat.”

To try your hand at being an RNLI skipper visit stand A34 at the Sail, Power and Watersports Show in Earl’s Court between the 26th and 30th November.

For all RNLI news, videos and safety advice visit their site on YBW.