The RNLI has celebrated the official opening of its new All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, bringing the building of these lifesaving craft in-house for the first time in the charity's 191-year history.

More than 500 people attended Friday's event at the new £14.5m centre at the charity's headquarters on West Quay Road. It marked the completion of the 27-month project which has secured a supply of all-weather lifeboats (ALBs) for future generations, as well as producing 90 new jobs, and eventually saving the charity more than £3m a year.

Two of the RNLI’s youngest fully qualified crew members, John McDermid, 17, from Arranmore in Ireland and 20-year-old Caryl Jones from Porthdinallaen, Wales, did the honours, ringing a bell as the doors of the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) rose for the first official time. These bells will be rung every time a newly built ALB is launched.

RNLI Chief Executive Paul Boissier addressed the gathering, reminding them of the motto of RNLI founder, Sir William Hillary: ‘With courage, nothing is impossible.’ "That's hugely appropriate when you think of the courage that our lifeboat crews and lifeguards show – the people who brave the worst of conditions to save lives."

He added: "The All-weather Lifeboat Centre is an investment in lifesaving for generations to come and craft that will be built and maintained in this centre will safely bring them home from the sea, back to their loved ones."

Each year the new ALC will produce six new all-weather lifeboats, refit seven to double each vessel’s operational life, and maintain many of the 160 vessels in the current all-weather fleet.

Also honoured as part of the day's events were 12 VIPs from the Lifeboat Enthusiasts’ Society, presented with a special Vellum in recognition of their support and commitment over the last 50 years, including their funding of the new RNLI Archive and Library.

The RNLI Open Weekend takes place today and tomorrow, giving visitors a chance to tour the boatbuilding factory, and the charity’s unique training facilities – the Sea Survival Centre and RNLI College.

Visitors can meet the volunteer crew, lifeguards and others who work locally and globally to reduce coastal fatalities. There will be a suggested donation of £2 for visitors and doors will open from 10am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.