Marine event 'chance to see weird and wonderful'

The festival of the sea is an "opportunity to show the weird and wonderful marine life that we have", a conservation charity has said.

Organised by Manx Wildlife Trust, the annual event will be held at the Port Erin Breakwater from 10:00 until 16:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday.

Lara Howe from Manx Wildlife Trust said: "This is our way in helping people to understand if we don't protect our oceans or seas, that is going to impact us on land."

It will coincide with a naming ceremony of a new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat for the Port Erin RNLI station.

Funded by the Gough Richie Charitable Trust, the new vessel is being named after Neil Crowe, who died last year from illness and helped set up the trust which has funded five lifeboats across the island.

A ceremony which includes a service of dedication along with a performance by Rushen Silver Band will be held at 12:30 BST at Port Erin Breakwater, before the vessel gives a brief demonstration launch.

The festival will include a series of tanks, soundology led by Amy Howse, the artist in residence for the charity, who will bring her singing plants and seaweed, as well as Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch.

"We are a coastal island nation and as much as we spend a lot of time on and in the water, not many people get the opportunity to see what is beneath the water and experience the amazing marine life we have," Dr Howe said.

The festival was "vital for conservation efforts" she said,. as it was raising awareness about the various species to help people see the "importance in wanting to protect and conserve them."

It was a "family event" which bridged all age gaps, and "often the adults are just as excited as the children to see what is there", she added.

Beach Buddies will also be supporting the festival and its truck will be situated at the slipway.

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