This year’s blessing of the boats service at the Lyme Regis boat station will be held next month to honour lives lost at sea. 

The inter-denominational blessing of the boat service will take place from 3pm on Sunday, May 5 at Lyme Regis lifeboat station, celebrating the three historic anniversaries 200th birthday of the RNLI, the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the 30th year of the National Coastwatch Institution.

The service is traditionally held to remember those lost at sea and those who enjoy the waters around the Lyme Bay shores for work or pleasure.

The RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea on Monday, March 4, announcing it has saved 146,277 lives over two centuries, with over 1,000 lives being saved in west Dorset since 1824.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the RNLI will also be reintroducing the unique west Dorset tradition of conger cuddling, followed by a conga dance to raise £1,824 for the charity - the figure that coincides with the year the RNLI was founded.

The service will be conducted by the Rev. Sarah Godfrey, where wreaths will be presented on behalf of the Royal British Legion, the emergency services, organised groups, and the general public. 

As the blessing comes to an end, the wreaths will be taken out to sea and laid by the lifeboat crew.

The blessing will begin with singing from Lyme Bay Moonrakers and music from Lyme Regis Town Band.