Penn Fishing

For over 180 years, in the UK we have enjoyed the protection of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The RNLI is a charity reliant upon donations and legacies, whose crews, mainly volunteers, undertake rescue missions 24 hours of every day, all year, operating around the entire UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Penn continues to support RNLI for 2008, and as such would encourage all users of our natural marine resources both to think carefully before venturing out fishing, and to donate whatever you can afford to the RNLI to ensure that this safety net remains just in case your best laid plans do not pay off.

Penn's simple precautions include:

For Boat Users

• Ensure that you have enough fuel for your journey, and check your engine.

• Ensure that you have VHF radio and flares on board – do NOT rely on mobile phones.

• Tell someone where you are going & when you expect to return.

• Wear suitable clothing; waders + boats is not a good idea.

• Check the weather & the tides.

• Do NOT drink alcohol whilst in charge of any water vehicle.

• Join Penn in our campaign to make the wearing of lifejackets compulsory on all UK registered vessels, or vessels in UK waters.

For Shore Users

• When fishing in the surf / out in a bay, always have a plan on how to get back to a point of safety, and be fully aware of tide conditions.

• Give respect to other users of the shore – it belongs to everyone – treat them how you would wish to be treated - leave your fishing spot in at least the same condition you found it.

• Again, tell others where you are going and when you expect to return.

• Wear clothing suitable both to the fishing and weather conditions.

Currently, the RNLI costs around £330,000 PER DAY to run. You can help by a variety of ways, from one off donations, to becoming a member of the RNLI, to leaving a gift in your Will.

Penn would encourage everyone to join the RNLI, be it at Storm Force level, specially designed for children, up through the adult and joint grades of Shoreline, Offshore and Governor.

For joining information, plus the full story of how the RNLI helps to protect the sea & ocean users around the UK & Republic of Ireland, please go to www.rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, tel 0845 121 4999 quoting PENN07.