THE RNLI in North Wales is set to perform an at-sea relay – passing a specially designed pennant flag from lifeboat to lifeboat along the coast – to mark the charity’s 200 years of saving lives at sea.

The one-of-a-kind pennant features a red RNLI ensign with an embroidered “RNLI 200” logo and sits on a unique staff, embellished with red, white and blue rope.

During three weekends across June and July, the flag will be passed, at sea, between lifeboats from each of the nine stations that protect the coastline of North Wales, from Flint in the east to Porthdinllaen in the west.

The nine stations are Flint, Rhyl, Llandudno, Conwy, Beaumaris, Moelfre, Holyhead, Trearddur Bay and Porthdinllaen.

The relay will culminate in a gathering of all six lifeboat classes found on this stretch of coast at its final stop in Moelfre.

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All-weather lifeboat classes Severn, Tamar and Shannon, and inshore lifeboats the D-Class, Atlantic 85 and Y-boat, which is a small inflatable ‘daughter boat’ stowed on some all-weather lifeboats, will all be in attendance.

After the relay, the pennant will go on permanent display at the Moelfre RNLI Seawatch Centre on Anglesey.

Chris Gaskin, RNLI area lifesaving manager, said: “The relay is a great way to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year and to celebrate the volunteers that protect the coast of Wales.

“Involving all of our lifeboat stations along the north coast of Wales ensures it is connecting all the lifesavers that give up their time to save lives at sea, and these communities will be able to look back fondly on the event in years to come.”

On Sunday (June 9), the pennant travelled from Flint to Conwy, via Rhyl and Llandudno’s lifeboat stations.

Transfers were made just off the coast, at points visible from the shore at 12.10pm, 1pm and 1.40pm respectively.

On June 23, the pennant will be travelling from Conwy RNLI to Trearddur Bay RNLI via Beaumaris and Porthdinllaen lifeboats.

Transfers will be made just off the coast at points visible from the shore at 11.40am and 12.30pm.

On July 7, the pennant will be travelling from Trearddur Bay RNLI to Moelfre RNLI via Holyhead lifeboat.

Transfers will be made just off the coast at points visible from the shore at 10.15am and 11.05am.

The flotilla of lifeboats will assemble at Moelfre RNLI for the arrival of the pennant at 12pm on July 7.