The Howick Volunteer Coastguard is celebrating six decades of service.
On Saturday, the parking lot of the Howick Beach reserve will be abuzz with excitement as the community gathers to take part in the Howick Volunteer Coastguards public open day.
Food trucks, flare demonstrations, fun activities for children, and music are on the programme from 10pm to 2pm.
Guests will also be given the opportunity to ride on the Howick Rescue One Vessel.
Coastguard spokesman Alan Martin says it’s thanks to the Howick community that the first rescue vessel was launched and has kept the community safe in local waters for the past 60 years.
“Howick Volunteer Coastguard was formed in 1956 after the tragic drowning of three local lads who had set off from Howick Beach on a fishing trip,” he says.
“The community raised money for the first rescue vessel with assistance from the-then Howick Borough Council.”
He says that today the Howick Volunteer Coastguard, previously named Howick Sea Rescue, has a state of the art rescue vessel that is launched by tractor on Howick Beach.
There are currently more than 50 members covering operational boat crews and support crews who respond to problems from a flat battery to serious medical call outs.
Martin says the open day is a way to celebrate the success of the community in establishing the first rescue vessel, invite them to learn more about what the coastguard do and acknowledge the work that the coastguard do.
