This Sunday, between 11 am and 4 pm, the Coastguard and Port Authority in Gorsewood Drive, Hakin, Milford Haven, will be hosting an Open Day. It is hoped that anyone with an interest in things maritime will attend - sailors, coast walkers, windsurfers, swimmers, anglers, boat owners, climbers.
There will be information and advice freely available from many of the agencies involved in safety, search and rescue and local waterway legislation.
Visitors will be able to visit both the Port Authority control room and the Coastguard operations room where radio, computerised search planning and other systems can be seen in action. The Port Authority jetty will be open to visitors and the local Angle lifeboat, police launch, pilot vessel and possibly tug will be alongside for inspection.
At the Coastguard station will be representatives from agencies such as Seafish, Fire Brigade, Police, RAF, Customs and Excise, RSPCA, Ambulance, Bomb Disposal, RNLI, and more... too much to mention here, and interest is growing daily!
As well as static displays there will be a live search and rescue demonstration (12 noon - 1 pm) involving many of the agencies mentioned above.
A park and ride system will also be operating from Milford Haven docks so there will be no parking problems on site. A coach will pick up visitors at the docks and travel between there and the Coastguard station all day. Disabled parking will be available on site.
Snacks and ice-cream will be on sale and a bouncy castle to keep those kids amused.
"It is hoped that we can make people more aware of what the Coastguard Service is about, understand how we operate and help us to help you!" said a spokesman. "And all this for free."
Further information can be obtained by ringing the operations room on (01646) 690909.