A NEW art piece has been pressure washed onto a seawall at Brighton Marina.
The artwork displays a lifesaving message to remind the public to "float to live" if they find themselves in difficulty in water.
The large artwork, created by cleaning technology company Karcher UK, aims to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) by reminding people of the important lifesaving method.
Using high-pressure cleaners, the message was etched onto the Brighton Marina seawall by removing layers of dirt, which had been built up over half a century.
The reveal of the artwork comes after an increased demand on the RNLI volunteer crew this summer, with more people holidaying in the UK.
In 2020 alone, RNLI lifesavers saved 349 lives and helped over 33,546 people.
As well as a rate of almost one life saved every single day, the charity also reported 42 lifeboat launches per day over the summer period, nearly double the number launched throughout the rest of the year.
To remind members of the public of how to "float to live", RNLI and Karcher have collaborated on a short film, featuring crew at Selsey Lifeboat Station in Chichester talking about the vital services the RNLI provide.
As part of a new four-year partnership with the RNLI, Karcher will also be supplying its cleaning equipment to every one of the RNLI’s 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland.
This will include professional grade pressure washers and other important cleaning appliances to support with vital maintenance at every lifeboat station.
As well as providing cleaning equipment, Karcher are supporting the partnership by running a number of fundraising activities and sales promotions throughout the partnership to raise funds to help the RNLI continue saving lives at sea.
Selsey Lifeboat Station were the first station to receive the equipment.
Rob Archibald, RNLI Coxswain at Selsey, said: “Every time the lifeboat returns to station following a launch for exercise or after responding to an emergency, station volunteers will wash down and clean the lifeboat.
“The equipment will make this process considerably quicker, to allow volunteers to clean areas previously inaccessible and make it a less tiring task.
“Maintaining and cleaning the equipment and lifeboat station is important to keep it in the best condition possible and ensures we are ready at all times to save lives at sea.”
The RNLI advises that if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, the five steps to follow are:
• Fight your instinct to thrash around.
• Lean back, extend your arms and legs.
• If you need to, gently move them around to help you float.
• Float until you can control your breathing.
• Only then, call for help or swim to safety.
John Payne, director for lifesaving operations at the RNLI, said: “Through this new alliance, they will help us to reach even more people with our water safety messaging, by supplying quality cleaning equipment to our crew. Karcher’s efficient equipment will save RNLI volunteers’ time and continue to ensure lifeboats are ready to launch to those in trouble at sea.”
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