Mile-long RNLI flotilla for 200th anniversary

As the RNLI celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, more than 40 rescue vessels formed a flotilla more than a mile long in Poole in May.

- Heather Prentice

The flotilla comprised more than 20 historic RNLI lifeboats, including the current lifeboat fleet, inshore lifeboats and the inshore rescue hovercraft.

International lifeboats were welcomed as part of the two-day event having travelled from France, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. The oldest rescue craft taking part was a Swedish rowing lifeboat from 1868.