Lifeboat Design: Lee Hawkins, Emily Scott, David Constant, Stacey Grove
Front cover image: Leading women – all-weather lifeboat coxswains and crew, RNLI/(Richard Adams, Harrison Bates, Nigel Millard)
Photo (bottom right): Learning water safety skills together at the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Festival, RNLI/Charis Walker
Contact us
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The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. We do so by providing a rescue service, safety education, and supervision on beaches. We also influence other organisations, policy-makers and regulators. Our crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives since the RNLI was formed in 1824. Our Water Safety Team helps keep people safe at the coast and our International Team works to reduce drowning around the world where it’s a major risk. We are independent from government and rely on voluntary contributions and gifts in Wills for income. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney
Bethany Hope, Editor
Email: lifeboat@rnli.org.uk
Welcome
You’re in good company
Do you feel a connection to your lifesaving charity? The RNLI brings together kind people all around the UK, Ireland and further afield, and in this special 200th anniversary year the connection has been palpable. From His Majesty King Charles III (page 4) to the humble lifeboat volunteer Julia (page 38), you’re in good company.
I hope you feel part of the RNLI crew when reading your Lifeboat magazine. Turn to page 10 for the first of three cracking rescues and be inspired by trailblazing RNLI women (page 18). Plus you can feast your eyes on photographs bringing the past to life (page 24).
The bond between you and our lifesavers means so much, especially when we're feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis that's affecting us all. Since 2019, lifeboat fuel costs have increased by 25% and utility costs have increased by 9%. We’re doing what we can to reduce RNLI expenditure and – with you beside us – we’ll continue to save lives at sea.
Thank you very much for all your kind support.
News
Welcome Peter
RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes
Peter Sparkes has taken up the post of Chief Executive of the RNLI.
Peter brings with him significant operational and leadership experience, most recently as Chief Executive of the UK Hydrographic Office. Prior to this, Peter served in the Royal Navy in a wide variety of jobs, at sea and ashore. He commanded HMS Cumberland on counter-piracy off Somalia, the ice-patrol ship HMS Protector in Antarctica and, in late 2019, he served in Washington DC as the UK Chief of Defence Staff’s Liaison Officer to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon.
Peter is thrilled to join the RNLI’s one crew as we embark on a third century of saving lives of sea.
Patron of the RNLI
The RNLI is proud to announce that King Charles III is the new Patron of our lifesaving charity. King Charles III succeeds Queen Elizabeth II and continues the tradition of patronage for our charity by the reigning monarch, which began when the RNLI was founded in 1824 with King George IV as its first Patron.
The King has a long history with the RNLI and has made many visits to lifeboat stations and sites over the years. The most recent was a visit to St Ives Lifeboat Station in July last year accompanied by Queen Camilla as part of Their Majesties’ first official visit to Cornwall following the Coronation.
The appointment of His Majesty The King as Patron has been approved by the RNLI Trustee Board, in line with our charity’s constitution and byelaws.
His Majesty The King on a visit to the RNLI College
Celebrate with us
As we enter the final months of 2024, there have been many highlights in the RNLI 200 calendar. At the end of May, 2,500 of our long-serving volunteers, staff and their families attended the RNLI 200th Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and Peter Beales' With Courage rose won a gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show. Lifeboat festivals all around the coast delighted visitors – including at the RNLI College and All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, and historic sites in Pembroke and Bamburgh. And the Storm Force Rescue game took app stores by storm. With more still to come and an RNLI 200 range to discover, visit RNLI.org/200 to find out more.
Birthday gift for lifeguards
Around 1,600 pairs of XTRATUF sliders have been given to RNLI lifeguards
Alaskan heritage footwear brand XTRATUF® gave a pair of bespoke sliders to every lifeguard this summer, in commemoration of our 200th anniversary and to thank the lifeguards for keeping beachgoers safe.
The Après Fish is a lightweight slider made from a highperformance foam that delivers superior impact absorption and support. XTRATUF® is also sharing water safety messages with its customers and donating £1 to the RNLI from each sale of its lifestyle range.
RNLI volunteers and staff have been recognised in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours for their roles in helping to save lives at sea.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
David Nicoll , Falmouth Lifeboat Station and Fundraising and Partnership Lead for the South West
Isabel Taylor, RNLI City of Manchester Fundraising Branch
John Porter, Scarborough Lifeboat Station
Neil Williamson, RNLI Whitby Lifeboat Museum
Rebecca Allen, Aberdeen Lifeboat Station
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Angus Heddle, Longhope Lifeboat Station
David Corben, Swanage Lifeboat Station
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mark Dowie, former RNLI Chief Executive
To read their stories, please visit RNLI.org/BirthdayHonours24.
The With Courage rose was created to celebrate 200 years of RNLI lifesaving
Community
Welcome to a selection of news from your RNLI community. For all the latest from where you are, head to
Symphony of celebration
In May, The National Opera House in Wexford hosted a once-in-a-lifetime event –RNLI 200: A Celebration of Volunteers, Their Families, and the Community. The event marked the 200-year legacy of the RNLI and paid tribute to the brave volunteers and the communities that support them. The spectacular evening raised vital funds for the charity.
Local and national performers came together to celebrate RNLI lifesaving
Hosted by Sharon Clancy and conducted by Liam Bates, the audience were delighted by a 'symphony of emotion and celebration'. Chloe Agnew, Ryan Kelly and The Sea of Change Choir graced the stage and there were moving performances from local talents, including George Lawlor, The Craic Pots, Wexford School of Ballet and Performing Arts, and Dara Pierce Ballet Academy.
Blowing bubbles for lifesavers
10-year-old William brought bubbles and sea creatures to RNLI fundraising earlier this year, when he completed his PADI Junior Open Water Diver qualification with Emperor Divers in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in aid of RNLI lifesavers. The waters around Sharm El Sheikh are full of vibrant marine life and, during his course, William saw a turtle, an octopus,
a guitar shark, dolphins and so much more. And he smashed his fundraising target, bringing in a phenomenal £320 in lifesaving funds.
As the minimum age for the PADI Junior Open Water is 10, and William completed it the day after his 10th birthday, he also became one of the youngest-ever qualified divers. Well done William!
William and his diving instructor make turtle hand signals after completing his PADI Junior Open Water in aid of RNLI lifesavers
Events
Fabulous Feasts
Earlier this year, acclaimed Chef and Restaurateur Andi Oliver – host of BBC’s Great British Menu – brought her new BBC Two programme Fabulous Feasts to the volunteer crew at Bridlington.
The programme was filmed last summer and brought together RNLI volunteers and other people from around the town – such as the Bridlington Sea Cadets, locals and holidaymakers – to enjoy
ABERDEEN
Two stepping to save lives
Aberdeen volunteers had a ball earlier this year, with the return of a favourite fundraising event – a ceilidh with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra is one of Scotland’s foremost musical organisations, comprised of players from all over the country, including the north east.
Early in the day, crew thrilled passers-by at Union Square, Aberdeen as they two stepped and stripped the willow in their yellow
Chef and Restaurateur
Andi Oliver with the Bridlington volunteers
delicious food, good vibes and great music.
Andi says: 'It’s really an honour to travel the country and meet people who are doing such extraordinary work. I just feel that every town I have been to and every community that I have engaged with, I have just met people who are showing the best of themselves and show us how we can live if we do really work hard and do it right.'
wellies – with members of the crowd joining in with the fun. Then, in the evening, wellies were exchanged for dancing shoes when a full ceilidh and stovies supper were held at Station Hotel, Aberdeen. Funds were shared between both the RNLI and Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.
Howth RNLI Golf Classic
Deer Park Golf, Howth Friday 27 September, 8am–7pm
Team up to support the crew! With beautiful views of Ireland's Eye, Lambay Island and Howth Yacht Club. Contact Mossy Shanahan on 086 054 5772
Coast to Cobbles
Silloth, Cumbria to Salford Quays, Manchester
Saturday 28 September, 1pm to Saturday 12 October
This travelling lifeboat will tell the story of the RNLI community in the north-west of England and gather new tales. Join the celebrations along the route – contact Sophie Wood and Hannah Presgrave on coasttocobbles @ rnli.org.uk or 07557 191852 .
An
evening
of stories by the rescued and the rescuers
Haslemere Educational Museum
Thursday 14 November, 7–10.30pm
Enjoy wine and canapés, along with dramatic tales of rescue from Tower Lifeboat Station crew and rescuees.
GET INVOLVED
To find more events coming up in your area, including lifeboat open days, head to RNLI.org/events .
Crew and Scottish Fiddle Orchestra at Union Square
As a supporter, you are helping our lifeboat crews and lifeguards carry out thousands of rescues every year. Here are some highlights, and you can read full accounts of other rescues on the following pages:
6 DOVER | PAGE 10
7 WICKLOW | PAGE 14
8 YARMOUTH | PAGE 16 8 7
For more rescue stories, head to RNLI.org/magazine
MAYDAY
ST DAVIDS, FISHGUARD, NEW QUAY AND KILMORE QUAY | 8 MARCH 2024
Crews from four stations pulled together following a mayday call from an Irish trawler taking on water. The crew of a Coastguard rescue helicopter lowered a water pump onto the trawler, which reduced the water level significantly. St Davids lifeboat then escorted the trawler for 20 of the 35 nautical miles back to Ireland before Kilmore Quay took over.
SWEPT AWAY
DUN LAOGHAIRE | 6 APRIL 2024
The rescue of a young girl washed into the sea during the tail end of Storm Kathleen was caught on camera by an onlooker on East Pier. A crew member from Dun Laoghaire’s D class lifeboat entered the churning water to support the child before
LUCKY ESCAPE
BUCKIE | 6 APRIL 2024
Buckie’s all-weather lifeboat crew launched into strong southeasterly winds to save four young paddleboarders. Luckily, two of them had managed to stay on their paddleboards. The other two were very cold having been in the water for over 20 minutes. After being assessed by the lifeboat and ambulance crews, all four casualties were given the all-clear and reunited with their families.
the crew pulled her aboard. They commended her survival instincts, which included staying calm and floating on her back with the help of air pockets in her jacket. Despite her ordeal, the cold, exhausted child made a full recovery.
PUPPY LOVE
CAMBER SANDS | 7 APRIL 2024
Spotting a puppy in trouble in a deep gully of water, RNLI Lifeguard Jens Peter-Jensen waded in and rescued the distressed pup.
‘The wagging tail and spring in its step reassured me that all would be fine,’ says Jens. ‘It was all the gratitude I needed from this furry friend.’ Jens also praised the dog walkers for not putting their own lives at risk by going in after the dog.
CUT OFF BY THE TIDE
TEDDINGTON | 7 APRIL 2024
Fast-rising water along the River Thames towpath in Richmond caught out two walkers, one of whom was 20 weeks pregnant. Luckily, they were rescued by Teddington lifeboat volunteers. ‘The extremely cold water had risen to my knees and the top of my friend's thighs,' says one of the walkers. 'We were shocked at how quickly the water rose. I couldn't be more grateful to the volunteers that day. Without them we could have been done for.’
Photos: Graham Campbell, Tom Lyons, RNLI/(St Davids, Georgia Mockridge, Gianna Saccomani)
HOLDING
A mayday changes Dover lifeboat’s course, calling the crew to a rescue that will test their skills to the limit …
As a new crew member, Dover RNLI volunteer Panda keeps a journal of every shout. ‘I don’t want to forget anything that I’m seeing or learning,’ she explains. The entry for 13 August 2023 – her fifth shout – is one she’ll never forget.
The pagers had sounded in the early hours. By 3.40am, Dover’s Severn class lifeboat City of London II was steaming out into the English Channel – one of the world's busiest shipping lanes – with Volunteer Coxswain Lee in command. The crew were on their way to save 68 men, women and children, who were stranded in an overcrowded small boat lurching through the swell.
By 4.50am, everyone was safe
onboard the lifeboat, heading for port. Dawn was starting to break when a mayday call crackled over the radio. More people needed help, urgently.
‘All we knew was a boat had gone down, there were people in the water and we had their position,’ says Lee. Not long after, the skipper of a nearby ship made contact. They’d reached the scene and relayed that people in the water were clinging to a deflated RIB (rigid inflatable boat). Some were holding onto a liferaft deployed by the ship. Others were starting to drift away on the tide.
‘As coxswain I had to take a moment,’ says Lee. ‘How are we going to reach every one and protect
my crew? It feels like minutes, but in reality it’s a few seconds to slow everything down and make a plan.’
‘As coxswain I had to take a moment. How are we going to reach every one and protect my crew?’
First, he got the crew to reassure the 68 people from the first rescue and calmly move them from the deck down into the survivor cabin. Lee explains: ‘It gives the lifeboat better stability when you’re using it as a platform to recover people, and everyone has more room to manoeuvre on deck.’
ON
Next, he got the crew to prepare all the rescue kit onboard. ‘I knew from the mass rescue exercises we’ve done, it’s counterintuitive: you don’t want to bring the lifeboat in too close at first. You can get stuck, unable to move without endangering people or snagging on debris,’ he says.
‘The priority is to stay back and throw rescue kit instead. When you’ve got groups of casualties scattered over 400 yards with people drifting away, you don’t want to lose sight of them. The kit gives them something to hold, but it also creates a visual scatter pattern so you can track where they’re drifting.’
Training for life
Exercises with crews saving lives in the Channel are helping to develop new techniques and equipment for rescuing multiple people in the water. Working with lifeguards as ‘casualties’, teams can test ideas in a controlled environment, and understand the different factors at play.
As this story shows, the findings are saving lives. They’re also being shared with lifesavers around the UK and Ireland – and the world – with broad applications for scenarios like ferry or aviation disasters.
‘What we’ve learned and developed together made such a difference on this rescue,’ reflects Coxswain Lee. ‘It gave me the confidence to process the scene and think, OK, I’ve seen this before. I know what did and didn’t work. I know what to do.’
A Trent class lifeboat exercise, using inflatable horseshoes, winch and scramble net
The Severn class lifeboat City of London II near the iconic cliffs
The rescues the Dover crew face together in the Channel have made them a tight-knit group
Arriving on scene, the first thing that hit the crew was the noise. ‘You hear everyone shouting and screaming, terrified they’re going to drown,’ says Lee. ‘That sensory overload risks overwhelming the team. So it’s my job to make sure everyone knows what they can do to help. Meet the noise with an answer.’
Crew Member Carl recalls the chaos that met them: ‘There were people and debris everywhere.’ The coxswain’s plan helped them make sense of it all. The crew threw inflatable horseshoes – small packages that inflate into floats when they hit the water – liferings and lifebuoys. The crew worked in an arc, making sure each person had something to hold onto, then moving on.
‘We have a big inflatable ring that’s adapted from the ones used by airlines. It can take about 30 people,’ says Carl. ‘I threw it to the largest group who’d been gripping what was left of the collapsing RIB. It was reassuring to see something fill that gap, to see people swimming towards it.’
The kit had bought them time. Lee could assess the scene and prioritise the people drifting furthest away. ‘There were three we saved on the
outskirts of the scene – without a doubt, they’d have been lost if we’d prioritised differently,’ he says.
From the upper steering position, Lee now carefully manoeuvred the lifeboat closer to the groups so the crew could haul people onboard. Some were using the A-frame to winch casualties up. Others were heaving people over the lifeboat’s high rails.
Carl clipped on his safety line and climbed down the scramble net hanging from the side of the lifeboat, to help exhausted people out of the water.
‘Because their arms and legs were so cold, they’d just stopped working. People were getting close to the lifeboat and starting to slip under the
‘I’m holding onto him thinking: “If I let him go, he’s not going to survive”’
water, some barely conscious. So I had to get to water level to keep them afloat and push them up to the other crew,’ he says. ‘I was shattered. But the adrenaline overrides everything.’
Panda, Martyn and Paul were also heaving people aboard. Panda recalls: ‘I’ll never forget one man. He’s grey
with cold, his eyes desperate. I’m holding onto him thinking: “If I let him go, he’s not going to survive. I have this amazing responsibility to save this man.” Paul helps me get him onboard. Everyone we’re saving is collapsing in relief and gratitude. We just have to get them clear, move on to the next.’
On the volunteers went, pulling people aboard, quickly moving them to the wheelhouse to make room for more people on deck. Michael was on the bow, helping to keep casualties calm. Two people were saved just in time by French navy swimmers on a RIB.
After a final search of the area by the crews of the lifeboat and the nearby ship, both boats’ skippers headed for port. The crew had done everything they could. They'd saved 19 people from the water. With several casualties in a serious condition, they made best speed for Dover.
‘They were so cold,’ remembers Panda. ‘One man’s feet were resting on my knees, and I could feel the cold through all my layers of kit.’ Carl, an apprentice with the ambulance service, worked with fellow volunteers Dave and Panda to keep casualties in the wheelhouse awake, try to warm them up and maintain the airways of those who were losing consciousness.
Meanwhile, the coxswain had a new challenge to contend with. ‘We’re steaming across the shipping lanes when the engine alarm goes off,’ says Lee. Mechanic Paul picked his way through the crowded wheelhouse and survivor space to find the cause. The port engine had lost all coolant.
On just the starboard engine City of London II carried on at around 10–12 knots, less than half its top speed. The lifeboat was navigating the south-west-bound shipping lane – the nautical equivalent of trying to cross a motorway at a snail’s pace.
‘So I’ve got this almighty container
ship bearing down on us,’ Lee says. To avoid a collision, he had to turn the lifeboat 90 degrees, so it was now parallel with the container ship’s path. The ship passed the lifeboat on its starboard side and Lee could steer round its stern.
‘I’ve got this almighty container ship bearing down on us’
‘It hits home how vulnerable people in small boats are,’ Lee reflects. ‘I understand the risks and the rules of the road. Imagine trying to navigate that situation in a small boat, unprepared. It’s terrifying.’
Once back at Dover, all the casualties were passed safely to waiting emergency services.
‘It was a bit unreal when we came back,’ says Panda. ‘Then as we got changed I remembered what was under my crew kit. I’d been to see Barbie with the girls the night before, and was still wearing Barbie-pink pyjamas when I answered the pager. Suddenly we’re all laughing,’ she smiles. ‘It was a heavy rescue. But it’s those “everyday” moments that help to ground you afterwards, to process and cope, to bond as a crew.’
Coxswain Lee and all six crew members are receiving the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for this rescue. The Dover crew emphasise that there are other lifeboat crews saving lives in the Channel too. RNLI volunteers have answered the call from anyone in danger at sea for the past 200 years.
‘It’s the human details I remember,’ concludes Panda. ‘Families telling me about their pets back home. A mum emptying the water from her child’s welly boots. We’re meeting humans at their most desperate moment and taking them out of that place. It’s a privilege.’ ■
Navigating the shipping lanes
On its current course and speed, and on only one engine, the lifeboat will collide with a ship in the lane that runs parallel to the English coast.
3. As the container ship moves past the lifeboat in the shipping lane, the lifeboat slips across the lane behind the ship's stern.
Words: Philly Byrde
Photos: Matman Photography/Dover Media Group/Dover RNLI, RNLI/(Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams), Shutterstock, Ollie Thrall, Pete Watson/Dover RNLI
WESTBOUND SHIPPING LANE
WESTBOUND
SHIPPING LANE
LANE
LARGE SHIP LARGE SHIP
LARGE SHIP
LARGE SHIP
LARGE SHIP
SHIP
1.
2. The coxswain manoeuvres the lifeboat in line with the shipping lane traffic, while the mechanic investigates a coolant leak.
In thunder and lightning, Wicklow lifeboat crew respond to a panicked mayday call from the young crew of a rapidly sinking yacht
‘I swam over to the casualty. There was a rope around his leg –pulling him down’
PETER BYRNE MECHANIC, WICKLOW RNLI
‘I’ll never forget the weather that day,’ recalls Peter Byrne, Wicklow RNLI Station Mechanic.
‘It was the oddest sensation. One moment we were all enjoying beautiful summer weather on the beach next to the lifeboat station with our families. Then we saw it. Just over the hill, a massive black cloud coming toward us.’
Peter, along with Inshore Lifeboat Helm Alan Goucher, Mechanic John Stapleton, and their families, quickly packed up his beach gear. Peter went into the station to lock up. But as he was walking upstairs, he heard a panicked voice coming from the station’s VHF radio.
‘It was a mayday call,’ says Peter.
‘A yacht was sinking, and someone was caught in the rigging.’ He looked out the station window through the binoculars.
‘I saw them straight away. Around half a mile away, a yacht was on its side.’
Peter, Alan and John got ready to launch their D class lifeboat, wanting to reach the yacht as quickly as possible. Wicklow’s Shannon class lifeboat had also been tasked, and their crewmates were on their way to the station.
By now, the black storm cloud was overhead. ‘We launched into heavy, straight-down rain,’ says Peter. ‘Thunder was crashing, and Alan was a bit concerned that we’d get struck by lightning.’
When they arrived at the scene, the crew saw five young casualties in the water. The yacht’s sails were submerged. Experienced Helm Alan was careful to keep the D class at a safe distance to prevent the propellors getting fouled in the rigging. He called the casualties over to the lifeboat, and four of them swam over. But the fifth person couldn’t move.
‘That’s when Alan asked me to get in the
The Wicklow lifeboat volunteers putting a marker buoy on the submerged yacht to warn other vessels
water,’ says Peter. ‘I swam over to the casualty, and he told me there was a rope around his leg. I ran my hand down under the water and found the rope, hoping to untangle it. But it was wrapped very tight around his boot. There was strain on it – pulling him down.’ The rigging line that entangled the casualty was also attached to the rapidly sinking yacht.
If Peter couldn’t free him quickly, the young man would be dragged underwater with the vessel.
‘It was at the lowest point of his ankle,’ Peter recalls. ‘So I had to reach right down.’ Peter carefully took his knife and cut multiple ropes under the water. ‘I felt it snap. He was free.’
Peter helped the casualty to the lifeboat, where John and Alan pulled him onboard with the other four casualties. ‘There was a moment, just a few seconds, when I was floating in the sea. It had all happened so quickly – a matter of minutes. But they were safe now. The relief hit me.’
With everyone onboard the D class, Helm Alan took them back to the lifeboat station to get checked over by paramedics – they were shocked and cold. Then, alongside the station’s Shannon class lifeboat, the lifeboat crew launched back out to sea.
‘We needed to tie a marker buoy onto the yacht to prevent it causing a risk to other vessels,’ explains Peter. ‘When we got back to the yacht, it was already completely nose down. We’d reached them just in time –the trapped casualty would have been underwater by now.
‘It’s very humbling to know we saved a life,’ he reflects. ‘But I don’t see myself as a hero. If it wasn’t me, it would’ve been John. And if it wasn’t John, it would’ve been Alan. It just happened to be me that got out of the lifeboat that day.’ ■
A proud history
Today’s humble crew at Wicklow follow a tradition of lifesaving. In one rescue, over 100 years ago, cargo ship SS Lynburn struck a mine at sea. Wicklow RNLI volunteers immediately launched to rescue any survivors. They found a small raft drifting in the minefield, surrounded by a mass of drifting wood. On the raft were three men. The lifeboat crew saved them and brought them safely back to shore.
Above right: Watson class lifeboat Lady Kylsant, at Wicklow 1937–56
Below: Wicklow D class lifeboat Dennis-Audrey launching to the rescue
Words: Charis Walker
Photos: Tommy Dover, RNLI/(Beken of Cowes, Wicklow, Nathan Williams)
A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK
When two paddleboarders go missing, seven lifeboats launch to their rescue. Will the crews find them before darkness falls?
Monday 3 July. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. A mild summer’s evening. RNLI Mechanic Richard Pimm had been working at the lifeboat station all day.
Shortly after arriving home from work, Richard’s pager went off. Like several other volunteers that evening, he dropped what he was doing and hurried to the station. Just 16 minutes later, at 6.45pm, Yarmouth’s Severn class lifeboat Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) launched.
The crew were joining a search for two paddleboarders who had been missing for several hours near Swanage, in Dorset. Local lifeboats had been searching through the
afternoon, but hadn’t yet found them. ‘As the search goes on, they bring in more assets,’ explains Richard.
Yarmouth was joining six other lifeboats from Swanage, Poole, Mudeford and Lymington, as well as HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters and a National Police Air Service helicopter. Searching on land were several Coastguard Rescue Teams and Dorset Police.
The crew reached their search area and were just 5 minutes into their search when they spotted something. Initially the crew thought it was a yellow buoy, but through the
‘He had hypothermia. He’d been out there for hours in just a buoyancy aid and swimming trunks’
Far left: Richard Pimm, Mechanic at Yarmouth
RNLI, is a third-generation crew member who signed up when he was 17
Left: The crew at Yarmouth
Below left: Yarmouth’s Severn class lifeboat
Richard began casualty care in the wheelhouse. The dad was going downhill and needed urgent medical care: ‘He started to cramp up horrendously,’ remembers Richard. ‘His body temperature was going down and he stopped making sense.’ It didn’t take long for the helicopter to arrive and they winched him away to hospital.
The search was still on for the second paddleboarder, but the light had started to fade. Richard says: ‘It's a very sinking feeling when the light goes.’
binoculars they saw it was a paddleboarder.
‘We instantly thought: “Oh my God, we’ve found them!” It was an amazing feeling,’ says Richard. ‘Then the realisation set in that it was only one paddleboarder –two had been reported missing. It was very bittersweet.’
This paddleboarder was more than 4 miles from where he went missing. He’d spent 7 hours floating out at sea with his board – he was exhausted.
A tricky operation
‘Getting him onboard was tricky,’ says Crew Member Peter Lemonius.
‘With the boat and sea rolling, and the paddleboarder being quite confused after his ordeal, it took three of us on
the side deck to get him into the strop of the A-frame and pull him onboard.’
‘Then the first thing he said to us was: “Where is my son?”’ says Peter.
‘It was a gut-punch’
The missing paddleboarders were a father and his 16-year-old son. Around midday, they’d started paddling in the sheltered waters of Studland Bay. But the pair had been pulled out to sea by strong currents –and the father had lost sight of his son.
‘It was a gut-punch because we didn’t know it was a father and son,’ says Richard. ‘But we had to concentrate on the dad. He had hypothermia. He’d been out there for hours in just a buoyancy aid and swimming trunks.’
PETER LEMONIUS
CREW MEMBER, YARMOUTH RNLI
About 15 minutes after darkness fell, the crew heard over the radio that the boy was safe. ‘That was very emotional,’ says Richard. ‘I think I could hear all the crews and all the teams breathe a sigh of relief.’
The son had been found by police on a beach in Bournemouth after managing to get himself to shore at Hengistbury Head – 5 miles from where his dad was found.
‘It was an amazing rescue, but scary at the same time,’ reflects Richard. ‘It’s what we train for on countless nights. The lifeboats, Coastguard, and police all worked as one crew and I felt really proud to be involved. I think we all slept very happy that night.’ ■
What we do
‘Without the RNLI, that guy would have died that night. There’s no shadow of a doubt. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack and then actually finding that needle. We were elated – it’s a fantastic feeling. If you were to paint a picture of the RNLI and try to describe what we’re for, this is exactly it: we go to sea and help people.’
Words: Nikki McMullen
Photos: RNLI/(Andrew Parish, Yarmouth)
LEADING WOMEN
Meet the women who command all-weather lifeboats full time – and inspire all-new volunteers
On a long shout aboard Fishguard’s Trent class lifeboat, you might find Gem Gill below deck making the tea. Before you consign this article to the 1950s, it’s also her call – she’s the one leading the rescue.
Earlier this year, Gem became the second woman to become a full-time coxswain at an RNLI lifeboat station, and the first in Wales. ‘There were women on the crew at North Berwick, where Mum would take me to open days growing up,’ she remembers. ‘So it never struck me as something I couldn’t do.’
As a child she’d watched on TV as the Blue Peter VII arrived at Fishguard, excited to think she might visit the lifeboat one day. Today, that same lifeboat and its crew are her responsibility.
Three years before Gem’s appointment, Di Bush became full-time coxswain at Harwich, having been a mechanic there since 2017. It’s her latest landing in a career wending from motor mechanics to watersports teaching, via a stint driving the hospital boat for the Isles of Scilly.
‘The way I see it, I’m made up of all the experiences that have brought me here.’
‘I wanted to hide in a cupboard’
Like every coxswain since 1824, Di and Gem have mixed feelings about the spotlight on their achievements – and their status as trailblazers.
There have been female coxswains volunteering since the 1990s and working on the staff that provide cover at stations, plus many more
women taking the helm of inshore lifeboats. But women still only make up around 2% of the world’s maritime workforce. A story shared today could spark a career, or light the way for our next volunteers.
‘Personally, I wanted to hide in a cupboard,’ says Di. ‘I didn’t see it as my milestone. I just happened to be the first on paper. But I understand why visibility matters, so I just went with the flow. And it meant a lot to have the backing of our volunteers. Without them, you don’t have a station.’
‘If you reach a position of influence, you need to put down the ladders to help others up’
Coxswain Gem Gill at the wheel of Fishguard's all-weather lifeboat
Gem sometimes wishes she had a stunt double for publicity, but recognises her story could help secure her station’s future. ‘Ultimately, my aim is to replace myself. If I trip over the dog tomorrow, I want to know our lifeboat’s in good hands. So my job’s all about encouraging volunteers to be the best they can be. If you reach a position of influence, you need to put down the ladders to help others up.’
She also holds on to the advice given to her by Rhona, the first helm she trained under as a new volunteer at North Berwick: ‘Don’t let others decide what you’re capable of.’
Under pressure
Passing out as a coxswain or inshore lifeboat helm is a huge achievement for anyone. It represents hundreds of hours of experience and learning at sea and onshore, moving from a crew mindset to greater responsibility and decision-making.
‘Don’t let others decide what you’re capable of’
‘I never really relax when I’ve got that boat out with crew onboard,’ Di explains. ‘Even on the calmest of days, the risks are still there. And it's my job to make sure everyone comes home safely.’
Beyond the pressure of that responsibility, one of the best aspects of the role for Di has been the eclectic mix of volunteers she supports: ‘It's allowed me to meet so many people who I probably wouldn't have otherwise.’
Gem agrees: ‘When I worked as a trainer at the RNLI College, we had a nuclear physicist and a hairdresser on the same course. Where else would
Gem's usual seat in the wheelhouse, where she can communicate with all the crew
Harwich Coxswain Di Bush says: 'It's my job to make sure everyone comes home safely'
you get to hang out with folk like that?!’
It’s a view that’s echoed all around our coastlines. Dr Sam Jones, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Tobermory, notices how the diversity of their recruitment has been enriched by the realities of a small island community: ‘There’s been a continuous thread of women crew for the past 34 years. We only have a certain pool of volunteers to draw from, so why would you immediately reduce that potential by 50%?’
Different strengths
Neither coxswain thinks there are specific traits that men or women bring to lifeboating. Instead, they believe the strength of today’s crews lies in their diverse skills.
‘Look, I’m 5ft 2. If we were still
rowing lifeboats, I wouldn’t be on the crew. It was all about strength and power,’ says Di. ‘Well it’s 2024. What else do you bring? Maybe you’re great at situational awareness, navigating a passage or reassuring casualties.
‘Yes, some tasks may be easier if you’re physically stronger. But the purpose of a crew is that we’re all mucking in together, you know? As coxswains we use the skill sets of the people we’ve got onboard.’ And as coxswains, it’s part of the job to notice and nurture those qualities in others.
The confidence trick
It’s not the practicalities that are blockers to women getting involved. The layered Helly Hansen all-weather kit (with tailored women’s fit and leg lengths) helps keep crew cool or cosy, and for any other questions, there are
‘Right now, whatever you’re doing, be the best you can be at it’
generations of seagoing RNLI women happy to share advice.
For everyone interviewed for this feature, the biggest hurdle was a more intangible issue: a misplaced lack of confidence. Women taking on traditionally ‘male’ roles have often felt the need to overachieve just to earn their place. So where does this stem from?
‘I think as women we’re conditioned to worry about letting people down, our interests and personal growth clipped by a fear of failing,’ says Sam. ‘99% of the time your perception isn’t real – you’re doing great.’
The Women in SAR group brings together frontline lifesavers, sharing ideas and supporting the next steps towards leadership roles
It’s something Gem saw teaching at RNLI College. Men would tend to step up and give something a go without question; women would more often hang back for fear of getting something wrong, until they had all the information. ‘It’s not about saying one way’s right or wrong,’ she says. ‘But the more we understand these different approaches, the better we can help everyone to tap into their strengths.’
Setting a course to coxswain
One of the volunteers at Sam’s station is Jenny Hampson, a marine biologist who’s been on the crew since 2019. Jenny hoped a job as an RNLI coxswain was in her future, and the leadership team thought it should happen sooner rather than later. That’s why, out on the Sound of Mull today, you may spot Jenny deftly manoeuvring the Severn class lifeboat alongside a ferry, or briefing the crew on an exercise.
‘It was such a confidence boost, to hear someone saying you’re good enough, you’re ready,’ she says. Every procedure Jenny learned as crew – like anchoring or towing – she’s now learning to lead as coxswain. Communication skills, critical thinking and good judgement come into focus, alongside assessing risks to the lifeboat, crew and casualties.
The places you will go
Jenny’s in a management role at work, and has found she can adopt the leadership techniques she’s learned there too. In the Women in SAR (Search and Rescue) Facebook group, talk also turns to the careers opened up by RNLI volunteering.
Whitby volunteer Leah Hunter had no seagoing experience when she joined 10 years ago. ‘Now I helm the D class, work on offshore windfarms and run a surf business. I’m also studying to be a paramedic and I’m aiming to
become an offshore medic. All the experience on shouts helped me to get into uni. If it wasn't for the RNLI, I wouldn't be where I am now in my career.’
It's a similar story for Lawrie McMillan at Oban, who joined the RNLI with no maritime background while working in a newsagent, and is now a private coxswain on small passenger boats.
‘Wanting to be a coxswain when you grow up is amazing – but it might not come to you until later in life,’ Gem advises. ‘Right now, whatever you’re doing, be the best you can be at it. Because all those skills will help you later on.’
The advice ringing from every quarter is simple, even if it takes a leap of faith to put into action: give it a go. No matter who you are, there’s a place for everyone in the RNLI. From shore crew to volunteer press officers, it takes all kinds of people to make our charity what it is today and keep us saving lives.
Gem’s mum Rose – who took her on those formative trips to North Berwick – is now a shop volunteer at
Dunbar. ‘She’s single-handedly trying to sell enough RNLI teddies to fuel our Trent,’ says Gem. ‘If anyone can do it, she can.’ ■
Words: Philly Byrde
Photos: RNLI/(Richard Adams, Harrison Bates, Jenny Hampson, Nigel Millard) In command – Lisa Viggers, the new full-time coxswain at Tenby
Tobermory Trainee Coxswain Jenny Hampson (l) and Lifeboat Operations Manager Dr Sam Jones (r) with Navigator Will Thorne
Me and my ... bees
In our latest peek into the lives and loves of lifeboat volunteers, Crew Member Stephanie Whitty reveals what gives her a buzz
First, a confession. Even though I’m a lifeboat volunteer, I get seasick. It’s not something I have to worry about though, as the lifeboat station I volunteer at is at Teddington, on the Thames. I initially trained as shore crew, so sometimes I drive the tractor that launches and retrieves the lifeboat.
When I’m not kitting up at the station I’m kitting up at the Twickenham and Thames Valley Beekeepers’ Association, hanging out with the girls. I say girls because nearly all of the bees in a hive are female – they’re the ones who run the show. I’ve only been stung once, thankfully –bees don’t usually sting you unless you annoy them. Whichever suit I’m putting on, the kit and training give me confidence, so when people ask me whether being on the crew or being around a hive is dangerous, I always say: ‘Not if you do it right!’ ■
Photo: Laura Lewis
Teddington RNLI Crew Member and Paramedic Stephanie Whitty in her alternative kit at the lifeboat station
6 May 1936:
Ballycotton’s Sliney family
Reimagined and resplendent – see the RNLI’s lifesaving history in a new light
Ballycotton Coxswain Patrick Sliney, his wife Catherine and their son William at the RNLI Annual Meeting in London. Patrick and William are wearing oilskins, sou'westers and kapok lifejackets. That year, RNLI Medals for Gallantry were awarded to the Ballycotton lifeboat crew for one of the most demanding rescues ever undertaken.
The seven-strong crew launched their lifeboat Mary Stanford into a ferocious gale. They endured 49 hours at sea, 25 hours without food and only 3 hours’ sleep to save all eight crew members aboard the drifting Daunt Rock lightship Comet. All seven men received medals. A Gold Medal was awarded to Coxswain Patrick Sliney and a Bronze Medal to his son William.
Imagine if you could travel back in time to see historical black and white photos in full, splendid colour. That was the challenge set to a specialist team of RNLI people made up of in-house historians and creative designers. But instead of travelling back in time, they brought our history into the 21st century to mark 200 years of saving lives at sea.
Using digital colourisation, also known as hand-colouring, the team painstakingly and lovingly
restored a number of black and white RNLI photos, removing dust, scratches and folds, before carefully adding and perfecting the colours.
The result is a stunning collection of colourised photos. Each picture puts a new perspective on an iconic moment in RNLI history, and each has a fascinating story to tell.
Who better to show you some of the photos than members of the team themselves.
Hayley Whiting, Heritage Archive and Research Manager
Team role:
I sourced and supplied the images, gave historical information on each one, and assisted with reference materials for the colourisation.
Choosing the images was quite a challenge! The RNLI archive has tens
of thousands of fantastic photos, and it was hard to pick just a few.
As a team, we spent hours on attention to detail to ensure each image gave a true, lifelike representation. I fed back on any tweaks that were needed – most notably the yellow of the oilskins –and supplied information and images to assist with perfecting the colours.
Colourising the images really makes them relatable and brings them to life. The reworked images give a different perspective on some of our archived photos.
Favourite colourised photo:
The Hauxley lady launchers is my favourite. The lady launchers were
very much part of many station communities, helping to launch and recover the lifeboats, which was extremely hard work and dangerous.
The image shows the amazing contribution women made at many of our lifeboat stations at a time when they couldn't formally join the crew.
I also like that it features a closed station – it helps to tell the story of the wider communities the RNLI has been a part of in our 200-year history.
‘Colourising the images really makes them relatable and brings them to life’
1939: Hauxley lady launchers
Women helped to launch and recover lifeboats at many stations for more than a century. Here, Hauxley lady launchers help to recover the station’s Rubie class pulling and sailing (rowing) lifeboat Mary Andrew from the water.
This was the last exercise at Hauxley before the station closed. During 87 years’ service, five lifeboats were stationed there, launching 81 times and rescuing 246 people.
20
May 1924:
Century Lifeboat Day at Trafalgar Square, London
In celebration of the RNLI’s 100th anniversary, Century Lifeboat Day was held on 20 May in nearly 80 of the main boroughs and urban districts of Greater London. On the day, lifeboats were stationed in public places at Trafalgar Square, Finchley and Brixton. Onboard each boat were coxswains from lifeboat stations on the south coast.
The pulling and sailing Self Righter class lifeboat pictured is Sir John ON408 from the relief fleet. Onboard with some guests are RNLI Silver medallists Margate Coxswain Stephen Clayson and Ramsgate Coxswain Thomas Read.
Neil Mathieson, Freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Team role:
I colourised some of the imagery alongside RNLI Artwork Manager David Constant. Although timeconsuming, hand-colouring images is very rewarding. The simple act of
adding colour to old photos can bring them back to life, making them more relatable for today's audience. It’s like giving them a fresh coat of paint.
Favourite colourised photo:
For me, the Trafalgar Square image stands out the most, with its striking composition, character and charm. It’s truly a wonderful and evocative moment frozen in time, so it was a real pleasure to work on it.
When you work on something for a while, you start noticing peculiar details. Like the sheer abundance of hats! Where is the peak-capped man with the extra-long ladder off to? The police in the top left corner? And who is the little girl sat on the
boat, impeccably dressed in her Sunday best? Beyond its aesthetic appeal, I also like what the image represents. The RNLI raised an impressive £5,675 across London on this day – equivalent to a staggering £287,000 today. It's testament to the profound importance people placed on the RNLI, evidenced by their generous
'It’s
like giving them a fresh coat of paint’
donations. A sentiment that endures today, over a century later. With or without colour though, who wouldn't find a picture of a lifeboat in Trafalgar Square just so intrinsically cool?
Dr Joanna Bellis, Heritage Interpretation Development Officer
Team role:
I've done research previously on period clothing and was interviewed about the project by the media.
Favourite colourised photo:
One of my favourites is of Cresswell Coxswain William Brown and his wife Kitty.
This is quite an intimate moment between the two of them. Although
it’s a posed photo, it looks very natural. Kitty was a stalwart RNLI volunteer in her own right, yet what must have been going through her mind each time her husband put on his lifejacket? What might he be going out to? She had 50 years of this.
Those straps and buckles on the old kapok lifejackets were tricky as they got stiff with age and saltwater. The colour of the lifejacket is spot on as we are fortunate to have original examples for reference in the RNLI Collection. William is wearing the classic seaman’s navy-blue coat. I like the choice of dark purple for Kitty too. People tended to wear darker colours for everyday as it was more practical, but she has brightened it up with a fringed shawl and sprigged apron.
Seeing the couple in coloured clothes also makes their white hair
more apparent against the dark blue hull of the lifeboat behind them. At that time, before retirement ages were adopted, crew still served in their 70s, and this reminds us of the selfless dedication given by RNLI volunteers, both then and now.
February 1922: Cresswell Coxswain William Brown and his wife Kitty
William Brown served on Cresswell lifeboats for 50 years, from 1875 when the station first opened to his retirement in 1925 at the age of 70. In that time, he rescued nearly 100 people.
On his retirement, William was presented with a Certificate of Service, while his wife Kitty was awarded a Gold Brooch in recognition of her services both as a launcher and fundraiser.
David Constant, Artwork Manager
Team role:
I colourised the photos, together with the very talented Neil Mathieson. Colourising monochrome photos is great fun. It takes time, it can be quite labour-intensive, but it’s never dull. Because on every inch that you work on, things start to jump out at you, and you start seeing things that you didn’t originally see.
As we started to colour the photos, everybody got very excited. The colours just changed everything, and the photos really came to life.
Favourite colourised photo:
The colourised photo of the signwriter at the RNLI’s Borehamwood Depot is my favourite. This painter is effectively doing the equivalent of my job today, but manually instead of digitally.
The RNLI Creative Services Team artwork all manner of things, including fundraising boxes like the lifeboatshaped ones in this photo. These days though we don’t use paintbrushes. We use photo and design software such as Adobe Photoshop.
I also like that this image shows a look behind the scenes of the RNLI and the contribution made by all kinds of skilful people to help save lives at sea .
‘Things start to jump out at you, and you start seeing things that you didn’t originally see’
January 1940: RNLI Borehamwood Depot, Hertfordshire
A signwriter paints the letters RNLI on a lifeboat’s lifering and another painter is at work in the background. The purpose-built Borehamwood Depot, which opened in 1939, stored provisions, including kit and publicity materials, needed by all our lifeboat stations and fundraising branches. Carpenters and painters made and renovated items needed for the stores. The depot had a machine shop where many machinery parts were made and repaired and where launching tractors were overhauled. It also had a rigging loft where rigging, covers, sails and liferings were made.
The depot closed in 1976 and relocated to its existing location in Poole, Dorset. The depot building is still standing and is known as Britannic House.
HOW TO COLOURISE PHOTOS
‘The first thing we do is decide: “Is it possible to do anything with this image?” If you’re looking at the very early photography, there’s very little detail in there and the contrast is such that you can’t really work with it. Also, although the photos are all monochrome, they’re not all black and white. They have all sorts of different hues. Some are a bit yellowy, some are a bit pink.
‘Next, we clean up the images, effectively restore them, by removing any dust, scratches and folds. Then it’s a case of adding lots of layers of colours and looking at how they interact with
one another. That way you build up slowly, and slowly, and slowly. We do all this by hand using a software called Adobe Photoshop.
‘Some colours are easier than others. Flesh tones and yellows are tricky. So the yellow oilskins of the old crew kit are quite difficult to do. We spent a lot of time perfecting the colours with the help of the Heritage Team to create the most realistic interpretations of the images.’
DAVID CONSTANT, ARTWORK MANAGER
Circa 1960s:
St Davids Lifeboat Station
St Davids lifeboat crew walk up from the boathouse, some still wearing their kapok lifejackets.
The colourised version of this black and white photograph brings out the vibrant red of the crew members’ woolly hats. The crew are also wearing RNLI guernseys, sometimes called a gansey – a navy-blue woollen jumper with ‘RNLI’ embroidered in red on the front. Today’s lifeboat crews still wear these ganseys for ceremonial duties.
The boathouse (built around 1910) still stands today beside the new lifeboat station, which officially opened in 2017.
Listen to our 200 Voices podcast episode at RNLI.org/PictureThis to hear more from David and the colourisation process.
See more of the historic colourised collection in our news story at RNLI.org/photos.
Words: Vicki Lovegrove-Fray, Hayley Whiting, Neil Mathieson, Dr Joanna Bellis, David Constant
Photos: RNLI/(Nathan Williams, Charis Walker), Photopress, Alpha Press, the Mathieson family
SHELF LIFE
Autumn is the perfect time for cosying up with a good book – and we have a great selection to choose from
Reviewed
by: Alison Burton, Becci Jewell, John Jacobs, Chris
Snell and Nikki McMullen
EDITOR'S PICK
Irish Seaweed Christmas Kitchen
by Prannie Rhatigan
Whether you’re already a convert to the benefits of eating seaweed or you just want to try something different, this beautiful collection of more than 50 recipes shows how you can easily integrate seaweed into traditional Christmas dishes. From mince pies and the post-Christmas turkey curry to more exotic offerings like seaweed truffles and smoothies, this book takes us on a magical culinary journey. It even includes ideas for inexpensive edible seaweed gifts and a seaweed face cream. Interspersed with charming recollections of Irish Christmases past, this is a nostalgic yet innovative Christmas coastal treat for the senses and tastebuds.
Published by Inishmurray Ink Publishing Price: €18.50
100% of the sale price goes to the RNLI when purchased at an RNLI shop in Ireland.
Travels with High Frequency
by John Jacobs
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be involved in an international story you’ve seen on television? Travels with High Frequency is a travelogue memoir of the people and places John Jacobs has visited while working as a radio engineer, supporting aid agencies and the UN. Each of the 40 short chapters takes you by the hand, letting you ‘be there’ through his eyes, seeing and feeling the environment, and engaging with aid workers, victims, officials and many others. There is humour and sadness, pathos and bathos, as we see how different characters respond to these difficult circumstances.
Published by Austin Macauley Publishers Price: £9.99
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Price: £9.99
Dark, Salt, Clear
by Lamorna Ash
Having moved from London to Cornwall to experience how fishing shapes a community, Lamorna Ash is soon immersed in both. As the lights of Newlyn fade in the wake of the Filadelfia, Ash learns how her crew navigate the push and pull of land and sea, fishing and family.
Dark, Salt, Clear educates and entertains. And, like the lingering smell of the fish auction, its tales will stay with you – not least a harrowing account of the loss of Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne. Whether you’re a summer visitor to the coast or fish for a living, this captivating book has something for you.
Thames Fast Afloat Lifeboats
by Nicholas Leach
Nicholas Leach has provided yet another intriguing account of RNLI innovation. This time, he focuses on the charity’s pursuit of a self-righting craft that was faster than its predecessors.
For Those in Peril
by Nicholas Leach
This unique guide provides a glimpse into the RNLI’s 200 years of lifesaving, and a round-the-coast survey of our lifeboat stations in 2024.
For Those in Peril details every operational RNLI lifeboat station in the UK and Ireland, and each of these 238 entries is packed with fascinating facts, from key dates and current lifeboats to a short summary of the station’s history. You’ll touch upon hundreds of stories, from medal-winning rescues to tragedies where volunteers gave their lives.
RNLI enthusiasts will love this handy station-by-station guide.
Published by Foxglove Publishing Ltd
Price: £10
Not just a compendium of technical facts, the book relates reports of seagoing conditions that make such a quest imperative. It describes the trials and assessment of a prototype for the 50ft Thames class, and the modifications that resulted in a craft that satisfied crews. The accounts of rescues provide contrast to the design and technical details.
A good read for all seagoers, particularly for anyone interested in boat design.
Why not join
Are you an armchair explorer? Do you love a nautical yarn? We’re always looking for new reviewers for Lifeboat magazine. If you’re interested in penning a 100-word review, please email us.
Published by Foxglove Publishing Ltd
Price: £25
Friends of the RNLI
Helly Hansen help us launch the Float to Live 2024 campaign in style
Did you catch it on the news? Thanks to Helly Hansen, Sky Pool in Embassy Gardens was the stunning London venue for the launch of the Float to Live 2024 campaign. The transparent pool – suspended at 35m – was perfect for a Float to Live demonstration, allowing a 360-degree view of RNLI lifeguards in the water.
The BBC and many others broadcast the launch of the campaign – who could resist this iconic venue together with the lifesaving message Float to Live! Helly Hansen, a strategic partner to our charity since 2018, facilitated the event. Each year, they help us in our mission to educate the public about the risk of drowning.
Puzzle time
Quick wordsearch
F
F G Y G X S Z B C W
W B U Q D C W G I E
P A C K H A D Q Q R
F U L E F R B T M F
THE BEST WAY TO FLOAT TO LIVE:
• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands to help you stay afloat
• It’s OK if your legs sink; we all float differently
• Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability
In our 200th-anniversary year, we are counting on lifesaving shopping to help save every one. Find 10 of the commemorative products. How is your historic lifeboat knowledge? Can you work out what class of former
T B P L T F O D U Y
B L F Z E E O J G Z
N E C O G T D D Y E
T R I H S T E D Y V
S O C K S Q N L Y R
Answer on page 41.
YOU CAN BE THE FORCE BEHIND OUR LIFESAVING FUTURE WITH A
GIFT IN YOUR WILL
You’re already powering our mission to save every one with your kindness. A gift in your Will means you can power it for many more years to come. Your kind gift, no matter how much, will inspire and protect the lifeboat crews of the future. Today they might be wearing their yellow RNLI wellies for puddle-jumping. One day they could be wearing them for saving lives at sea.
Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard
LAUNCHES
Thank you – you are the force behind the launches listed on these pages. Check out the recent action at your favourite lifeboat station with this handy alphabetical list
A ABERDEEN
D-830: Mar 18,30, Apr 13, May 20,23
ON1237 (17-17): Mar 18, Apr 13, May 6,20,23
ON1248 (17-24): Mar 8
ABERDOVEY
B-896: Mar 9,31, May 6,12
ABERSOCH
B-886: Mar 31, Apr 12, May 19
ABERYSTWYTH
A-78: May 6
B-937: Apr 21,25, May 6,11,12,14,26
ACHILL ISLAND
ON1240 (14-28): Mar 25
AITH
ON1232 (17-14): May 4,11
ALDEBURGH
D-808: May 18,23,27
ON1193 (12-34): Apr 2, May 18,22
AMBLE
D-867: Apr 14, May 16
ON1323 (13-16): May 12
ANGLE
ON1291 (16-11): Mar 7(x2),11, Apr 11,13, 14,18,23,30, May 1,5(x2), 6,9,10(x2),11,13,18,19 (x2),24,25,26
ANSTRUTHER
D-802: Mar 31, Apr 18, 21, May 3,4,7,29
ON1174 (12-17): Mar 31, Apr 18,21, May 4,29
APPLEDORE
B-861: Mar 24,27, Apr 6, 24, May 7,23,26
B-926: Mar 9,11
D-729: Mar 28
D-756: Apr 24, May 15,19
ON1296 (16-16): Mar 30, Apr 6
ARAN ISLANDS
ON1217 (17-06): Mar 2,
3,30, Apr 20,21,23, May 4,10
ARBROATH
B-927: Apr 15
D-759: Mar 24, Apr 15
ARKLOW
ON1206 (14-08): May 22
ON1223 (14-19): Mar 21, Apr 2
ARRAN (LAMLASH)
B-876: Mar 16, Apr 25
ARRANMORE
ON1244 (17-22): Mar 29, Apr 23,28,29, May 13, 25,26
BALLYCOTTON
ON1233 (14-25): Apr 12, May 3,4
BALLYGLASS
D-823: May 21
ON1235 (17-15): May 5
BALTIMORE
B-910: Mar 19
ON1302 (16-22): Mar 6
BANGOR (CO DOWN)
B-805: Apr 13, May 5,6, 12(x2),13,24
BARMOUTH
D-814: Apr 21, May 19, 27(x2),31
ON1337 (13-30): May 18,27
BARRA ISLAND
ON1230 (17-12): Mar 9, May 20
BARROW
D-866: Mar 16, Apr 2,10
ON1288 (16-08): Mar 7, May 26
BARRY DOCK
D-816: Apr 13,28
D-820: Mar 20, May 5,7, 11,17,18,19,22
ON1245 (14-29): Mar 6, 30, Apr 1,24, May 5
BEAUMARIS
B-838: Mar 13,23,27, Apr 21,23,26, May 1,2, 12,20,24,25(x2)
BEMBRIDGE
D-778: Mar 15,17,24(x2), 30(x3), May 4,7,26
ON1297 (16-17): Mar 23, 24(x2),30(x2), Apr 15, May 3,7,18,23,31
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED
B-913: May 10,25
D-777: Apr 5, May 8
BLACKPOOL
B-867: Apr 13, May 1, 11(x2),25
D-862: Mar 4,6,7,20, 29(x2),30,31, Apr 20,22, May 1,2,15
D-864: Mar 6,20,29, 30,31, Apr 17,22,27, May 1(x2),9,11,15(x3),16 BLYTH
B-923: Mar 21, Apr 3,8, May 17
D-878: Mar 13, Apr 6,20
BORTH
D-760: Mar 31, May 6,31
BRIDLINGTON
D-852: Mar 15,23, Apr 14,24, May 13
ON1329 (13-22): Mar 12, 28, Apr 4
BRIGHTON
B-852: Mar 3(x2),6,13,21, 24,30, Apr 18,21(x2),26, May 3,4,14,22
BROUGHTY FERRY
D-834: Mar 7,14,16, Apr 8,11,13,16,19,21, May 1,11,12,13,18,24,28
ON1252 (14-31): Mar 3,7, Apr 8(x2),11,13,19,21, May 1,11,12,18,24,28 BUCKIE
ON1268 (17-37): Mar 6,9, Apr 1,6,10,18 BUDE
D-888: Mar 30, Apr 17, May 4,9,10,23
RWC-129: Apr 17, May 10
BUNDORAN
B-834: Apr 24, May 11,25
BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH
B-849: Mar 6,23,30, Apr 15,20, May 5,7,11, 12,19
D-807: Mar 6, Apr 30
BURNHAM-ON-SEA
B-914: Mar 28, Apr 24, May 6,13
D-801: May 9
2,063
RNLI RESCUE CRAFT LAUNCHES
1 March to 31 May 2024
The launches listed here are those for which returns had been received at the RNLI Support Centre and processed by 26 June 2024.
BURRY PORT
B-915: Mar 9,11, Apr 24, May 11(x2)
D-882: Mar 11,26, Apr 14, 21,24, May 7,11,23 CALSHOT
B-860: Apr 3, May 10,19
D-880: Mar 17(x2), Apr 17, May 25
CAMPBELTOWN
D-870: Mar 15, Apr 5,28, May 2
ON1241 (17-19): Mar 31, Apr 5, May 5,16
CARDIGAN
B-871: Apr 27, May 31 CARRYBRIDGE
B-904: Mar 13, May 2,4,18,27
CASTLETOWNBERE
ON1277 (17-44): Mar 29 CHISWICK
E-08: Mar 12,13,16,18, 20,22,23,24(x2),27(x2), 28,29,31, Apr 1, May 6, 8(x3),9(x5),11(x3),12,16, 18,19,20,21(x3),22(x2), 23(x2),24,25(x3),26(x2), 27(x2),29(x2),30(x3),31
E-09: Mar 1(x2),3,7(x2), 8, Apr 3,4,6,7,12,14,15, 16,18,22(x2),23,24(x4), 27,30, May 1(x3),2,4(x2)
CLACTON-ON-SEA
B-863: Mar 16,19, Apr 14, May 11,17,22,25, 27(x3),29
D-849: Mar 19,30, Apr 3, 11,12, May 12,20
CLEETHORPES
D-757: Mar 15,24(x2), Apr 4,11, May 13 CLIFDEN
B-869: May 9
ON1350 (13-43): Apr 11
CLOGHERHEAD ON1338 (13-31): Mar 13, Apr 30
CLOVELLY
B-883: May 11
CONWY
D-765: May 5,6,11(x2), 19,22
COURTMACSHERRY HARBOUR
ON1352 (13-45): May 30 COWES
B-859: Mar 3,6,10, Apr 2, 6,9,20,29, May 2,6(x2),11, 13,28,30,31 CRASTER
D-839: Apr 8(x2), May 11 CRICCIETH
A-76: Mar 24
B-938: Mar 24,27,28, Apr 26, May 11
CROMER
ON1287 (16-07): Apr 12 CROSSHAVEN
B-892: Apr 24, May 6,9 CULLERCOATS
B-935: Mar 30, Apr 9,14, 17, May 6,10,12,16,23
DART
B-931: Apr 9,20,21, May 2, 8,9,11,23
D-838: May 11 DONAGHADEE
ON1225 (14-21): Mar 3, Apr 25
DOUGLAS ON1181 (12-22): May 26,31
DOVER
ON1220 (17-09): Mar 3, 7,17,20,21,30(x3),31, Apr 1(x2),8,16,27,30, May 1,7,11,13(x2),20,22, 24,26
DUN LAOGHAIRE
D-865: Mar 27, Apr 6,13, 14(x2),19, May 16,24, 27,29 ON1200 (14-05): Apr 10, May 12,26
DUNBAR
D-844: Mar 10, May 13 ON1266 (14-35): Mar 10
DUNGENESS
ON1309 (13-02): Mar 31(x2) ON1319 (13-12): May 1, 11(x2),16,21,24(x2)
EASTBOURNE
D-876: Mar 8,14,21, Apr 14,17,18,21,23,29, May 4,19,21,24,25,29,31
ON1197 (14-02): Mar 7,13, 20,21,31, Apr 24,25, May 4,8,28
ENNISKILLEN
B-912: Apr 13, May 7 EXMOUTH
BB-697: Mar 4
D-805: Mar 2,4,10(x2),21, 29,30, Apr 6,12,14,17, 20(x3),21, May 4,11(x3), 16,20,22,25,27
ON1310 (13-03): Apr 16, 18, May 13,25
EYEMOUTH
D-877: Mar 3, Apr 24
ON1336 (13-29): Apr 24
ON1339 (13-32): Mar 2 FALMOUTH
B-916: Mar 7,10,24,31, Apr 5,10,26, May 1,2,3,8, 12,16,20,23,26(x2)
ON1256 (17-29): Apr 1,2, May 5,8,23
FETHARD
D-819: May 7,19 FILEY
B-928: Apr 1,23
D-859: Mar 25, Apr 9,13, 23(x2),30, May 27 FISHGUARD
D-789: May 10,29
ON1198 (14-03): Mar 8, May 6,17,31
FLAMBOROUGH
B-820: Mar 12,13,29,31, Apr 29, May 7,11
FLEETWOOD
D-853: Mar 11,14(x2), Apr 14,29, May 5(x2),11, 15,18,26,27
ON1321 (13-14): Mar 14, Apr 1, May 26 FLINT
D-795: Mar 11
FOWEY
D-776: Mar 14
D-817: May 19,27
ON1222 (14-18): Mar 29, Apr 29, May 12,19,25,27
FRASERBURGH
ON1204 (14-06): May 11
ON1259 (14-34): Apr 16,27
GALWAY
B-853: Mar 5,14,26, Apr 27, May 9,27
GIRVAN
ON1330 (13-23): Apr 2,3
GRAVESEND
B-827: Mar 4,8,12(x2),13,21, 23(x2),24,26,27, Apr 3(x3), 5,14,16,18,22,24,26,27, 29(x2), May 2,3,6,8,12,25, 27,29,31(x2)
B-850: May 15,17,20,22
GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON
B-925: Apr 12,28, May 4, 9,12
ON1208 (14-10): May 30
ON1226 (14-22): Mar 18, Apr 12,17
HAPPISBURGH
D-813: Mar 25, Apr 28(x2), May 8
HARTLEPOOL
B-881: Mar 16, Apr 8,9, May 6,11
ON1274 (14-37): Mar 16, Apr 9, May 11
HARWICH
B-907: Mar 6,22,24,31, Apr 1,5, May 4,6,11,12, 21,23
ON1202 (17-03): Mar 6, 15(x2),31, Apr 27, May 1,22
HASTINGS
D-875: Mar 14,19,24, Apr 7,12, May 22
ON1335 (13-28): Mar 21, Apr 21, May 9,17,22,26
HAYLING ISLAND
B-829: Mar 2,8,10, Apr 7, 19, May 4,5(x2),6,12,31
D-779: May 4,5,6,7(x2), 10,12
D-857: Mar 2,10
HELENSBURGH
B-903: Mar 16, Apr 9,17,20, May 8,10,12
HELVICK HEAD
B-874: May 22
B-880: Mar 8,10,11, Apr 21
HOLYHEAD
ON1272 (17-41): May 30
HORTON AND PORT
EYNON
D-824: Apr 13,20
D-881: May 19,24,26
HOWTH
D-796: Apr 19, May 1,6,14
ON1258 (14-33): May 3,4
HOYLAKE
H-005: Mar 3(x2),4,19, May 2,8,24
HUMBER
ON1216 (17-05): Mar 15, 28, Apr 19, May 5,9,11,22
HUNSTANTON
B-848: Mar 1,14, Apr 20, May 9
H-003: May 14,27
ILFRACOMBE
D-809: Mar 29(x2), Apr 5(x2),21,27, May 17, 21,23
ON1316 (13-09): Mar 17, 29, Apr 5(x2),21, May 11, 15,23(x2),25
INVERGORDON
ON1314 (13-07): May 20,22
ON1344 (13-37): Mar 14, Apr 9,10,16
ISLAY
ON1219 (17-08): Mar 30,31, Apr 9, May 3,4,11,13
KESSOCK
B-873: Mar 13, May 1 KILMORE QUAY
ON1293 (16-13): Mar 8, Apr 18
ON1298 (16-18): May 19,29
KILRUSH
B-844: May 11
KINGHORN
B-836: Mar 4,11,14, Apr 11, 20, May 9,24,25 KINSALE
B-901: Mar 30
B-909: Apr 21, May 12
KIRKCUDBRIGHT
B-814: May 11,26
KIRKWALL
ON1231 (17-13): May 4,8
KYLE OF LOCHALSH
B-856: Mar 28, Apr 5,10, 25, May 21 LARGS
B-854: Mar 7, May 14,17, 18,19,21,22,31
LARNE
D-783: Apr 23,28
ON1246 (14-30): Apr 23,28, May 17
LERWICK
ON1221 (17-10): Mar 10,18, 19,24, Apr 3,28, May 10, 11,14
LEVERBURGH
B-895: May 13,19
LITTLE AND BROAD HAVEN
D-766: Apr 4,28, May 11,27
LITTLEHAMPTON
B-891: Mar 8(x2),16,27, Apr 8,9,13,21,29,30, May 3, 12,20,27
D-769: Mar 8(x2),17,24,25, 29, May 27
LITTLESTONE-ON-SEA
B-922: Apr 13,16(x2)
LLANDUDNO
D-793: Mar 17, Apr 13, May 4,30,31
ON1325 (13-18): May 30
ON1333 (13-26): Apr 5
LOCH NESS
B-902: May 11,21,27
LONGHOPE
ON1284 (16-05): May 14
LOOE
B-894: May 22
D-872: Mar 24, Apr 20, May 22,31
KNOW YOUR CRAFT
This is what it costs on
LOUGH DERG
B-911: Mar 24,30, Apr 28, May 5,11,28,29 LOUGH REE
B-920: May 28,29,31
LOUGH SWILLY
B-819: May 19,27
ON1315 (13-08): Apr 9, May 20,27
LOWESTOFT
ON1312 (13-05): Mar 13, 16,18,31, May 19
LYME REGIS
B-857: Mar 10,13,23,30, Apr 5,8,20,25, May 5, 13,26 LYMINGTON
B-882: Mar 8,23,30, Apr 8,9,11(x2),12,27, May 9,17,27
LYTHAM ST ANNES
D-800: Mar 9,30, Apr 9, 27, May 5,6,12
ON1331 (13-24): Apr 9 MABLETHORPE
B-887: May 12
D-790: Apr 8(x2) MACDUFF
B-933: Mar 16,26, Apr 11, 12,13, May 11 MALLAIG
ON1250 (17-26): Mar 10, Apr 1,20,25, May 4,6,14, 19,25,26,27 MARGATE
B-930: May 9
D-841: Mar 24, Apr 14,20, May 1,6,8,9,13,16,20 MINEHEAD
B-939: Mar 31, May 6,11
D-847: Mar 31, Apr 10 MOELFRE
D-825: Apr 1
ON1305 (16-25): Apr 9, 21, May 30 MORECAMBE
D-855: Mar 3,6, Apr 10, 11,13(x2),14,16(x2),23, May 1,27
H-002: Mar 3, Apr 13,16, 21, May 16,27 MUDEFORD
B-806: Mar 22,30(x2), Apr 5,9,26,27, May 2(x2), 7,12,26(x2) NEW BRIGHTON
B-837: Mar 4,5,19, Apr 5,20, May 1,6(x2), 11,17,24,26 NEW QUAY (CEREDIGION)
D-886: Apr 1,3(x2),25, May 25 NEWBIGGIN
B-864: Apr 30
NEWCASTLE
D-775: May 1,30
ON1177 (12-20): Mar 22, May 1,18
NEWHAVEN
ON1243 (17-21): Mar 3,
10,20, Apr 11,15,19, May 3
ON1278 (17-45): May 12, 25,28
NEWQUAY (CORNWALL)
B-936: Mar 7,16,26, Apr 10,13,29, May 8,16, 20(x2),27
D-773: Apr 10,12, May 8, 20,26,27
NORTH BERWICK
D-768: Mar 5, Apr 6,8,11, May 8,12,17,18,19
OBAN
ON1357 (13-50): Apr 9, 10(x2),13,14, May 10,17, 18,20,31
PADSTOW
ON1283 (16-04): Mar 13, 22,26,31, Apr 29, May 14(x2),22,23 PEEL
ON1342 (13-35): Apr 21, 26,27, May 18,28 PENARTH
B-839: Mar 10,17, Apr 9, May 19(x3)
D-816: May 11
D-822: Mar 11 PENLEE
B-893: Mar 31(x2), Apr 18, 20, May 4,7,19,27(x2)
ON1254 (17-27): Mar 17, 19,31, Apr 8(x2) ON1265 (17-36): May 4,8, 18,23 PETERHEAD
ON1282 (16-03): Mar 11, 28, May 8 PLYMOUTH
B-908: Mar 11,18,19(x2), 24,28(x2),30, Apr 4,7,26, May 4(x2),6,7,9,10,12(x2), 13,18,19,22(x2),23(x2), 25,27
ON1264 (17-35): Mar 18, 9, Apr 4,19,23, May 4,9, 12(x2),18,22,31
POOLE
B-826: Mar 3,14,20,28, 31, Apr 2,9,13,30, May 7, 8,9,13(x2),24,28,30
D-804: Apr 13, May 3, 10(x2),27
PORT ERIN
B-813: Apr 26
PORT ISAAC
D-843: Apr 14
PORT ST MARY
D-873: Mar 10
PORT TALBOT
D-848: May 4,9,21,23,24
PORTAFERRY
B-833: Mar 3,17, Apr 18, May 4,24(x2) PORTHCAWL
B-832: Mar 20, Apr 7,23, 25,27, May 3,4,6,8,9, 11(x2),27,29(x2)
D-755: Mar 18,20, Apr 23
D-861: May 4,6,9,26,29 PORTHDINLLAEN
ON1304 (16-24): Mar 26, May 10
PORTISHEAD
B-884: Mar 2,3(x2),4,11, Apr 5,7,14,27, May 4
PORTPATRICK
ON1332 (13-25): May 20 PORTREE
BB-683: Apr 14
ON1214 (14-16): Mar 25, Apr 5,14,21,23,29, May 5, 11,12(x2),18,26 PORTSMOUTH
B-846: Mar 5,7, May 20,25
B-918: Mar 28, Apr 8(x2), May 3,7
D-850: Mar 22, Apr 12,21, May 13 PWLLHELI
D-811: Apr 26
QUEENSFERRY
B-851: Mar 4,9,13,14,16, 19,20,23, Apr 20, May 6,9, 11(x2),12,19
RAMSEY
ON1349 (13-42): Mar 31
RAMSGATE
B-878: Mar 16,17, Apr 27, May 1,2,4,5,8(x2),21,25,27
ON1303 (16-23): Mar 31(x3), Apr 1,27(x2), May 2,4,12,22
RED BAY
B-843: Apr 21, May 12
REDCAR
B-858: Mar 16(x2),21,27, 31, Apr 4, May 10,11,13
D-786: Mar 16, May 8,11(x2)
RHYL
D-770: Mar 2,3, Apr 20, 28, May 11,27
ON1341 (13-34): Mar 2, Apr 28, May 27
ROCK
D-772: Mar 22, Apr 12
ROSSLARE HARBOUR
ON1269 (17-38): Apr 15
ON1276 (17-43): May 10
RYE HARBOUR
B-900: Mar 7, May 7
SALCOMBE
B-905: Apr 11, May 8,24
ON1289 (16-09): Mar 19, Apr 11,13, May 2
SCARBOROUGH
D-776: May 11,26
D-856: Mar 27
ON1322 (13-15): Mar 9, May 6,26
SEAHOUSES
D-828: May 9,10
ON1343 (13-36): Apr 28, May 11,23
SELSEY
D-857: Apr 10, May 5,13, 29,31
ON1327 (13-20): Mar 28, Apr 20, May 27
SENNEN COVE
D-763: May 6,17
ON1294 (16-14): Mar 13, 17, May 6,10,17,22
SHEERNESS
D-799: Apr 15,17,28, May 4,5,28,30,31
D-815: Mar 5(x3),31, Apr 6
ON1345 (13-38): Apr 9(x2),28, May 6,12
SHERINGHAM
B-818: May 19
SHOREHAM HARBOUR
D-784: Mar 7,15,17,18, Apr 21, May 3
D-792: Apr 27(x2), May 11
ON1280 (16-01): Mar 15, 29, Apr 13,21, May 11, 17,26
SILLOTH
B-828: Apr 5
SKEGNESS
D-842: Mar 10, Apr 29, May 20
ON1324 (13-17): Mar 14
ON1328 (13-21): Mar 28, May 24
SKERRIES
B-866: Mar 13, Apr 30, May 3
SLIGO BAY
B-888: Mar 18, Apr 11, 16, May 11,20
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA
B-885: Apr 2, May 7,20
D-818: Mar 10,22,29, Apr 2, May 3,5,7,25,26
H-004: May 20
SOUTHWOLD
B-850: Apr 11,28
ST AGNES
D-787: Mar 27, Apr 29
ST BEES
B-831: May 1,7,19,29
ST CATHERINE
B-841: Mar 30, May 4
ST DAVIDS
D-840: Mar 18, Apr 1
ON1306 (16-26): Mar 8, 11,18,21, May 12,26
ST HELIER
B-934: Apr 11,14, May 12
ON1292 (16-12): Apr 1,7
ST IVES
D-803: Mar 12, Apr 7, May 4,8,10
ON1318 (13-11): May 4,6, 8,10
ST PETER PORT
B-889: Mar 11,14
B-943: Mar 30
ON1279 (17-46): Mar 11, 14,17,30, Apr 7,24,28, May 2(x2),8,10,14,31
STAITHES AND RUNSWICK
B-897: Mar 21, May 19
STONEHAVEN
B-919: May 9,16,17,18
STORNOWAY ON1238 (17-18): Mar 13 STRANRAER
D-833: Apr 1,9, May 4, 25,27
STROMNESS ON1236 (17-16): Apr 22, 30, May 5,15
SUNDERLAND
B-817: Mar 3,29,31, Apr 6
D-879: Mar 8,17,29, Apr 6,15
SWANAGE
D-884: Mar 16, May 6, 19(x3),25
ON1320 (13-13): Mar 11, 28,30, Apr 13, May 19,25
T
TEDDINGTON
D-785: Apr 22,27, May 12,14
D-792: May 23
D-874: Mar 1,10,12,13, Apr 2,6(x2),7(x2),19,20, 22, May 11,12,14,18,20, 22,23,24,26,27
TEIGNMOUTH
A-67: May 18
B-809: Mar 9,25, Apr 15(x2),17,18,20(x2), May 2,12(x2),18
TENBY
D-858: Mar 10,22, May 4,29
ON1281 (16-02): Mar 9, 22,27, Apr 5,24, May 19, 20,25,28
THE LIZARD
ON1300 (16-20): Mar 21, Apr 3,8, May 8,11,22,28
THE MUMBLES
D-761: Mar 29, Apr 1(x2), 16, May 9(x2),13,21,25,27
ON1307 (16-27): Mar 16, 31, May 13
THURSO
ON1262 (17-33): May 20, 22(x2),24
ON1273 (17-42): Mar 5,29
TIGHNABRUAICH
B-862: Mar 30, May 19
TOBERMORY
ON1270 (17-39): Mar 11, Apr 9,27, May 16,25 TORBAY
D-776: Mar 29, Apr 12, 19,27
D-788: Mar 1,5,12,13, 17(x2),23, Apr 23, May 4, 9,11(x2),12(x2),17,18, 23,30
ON1254 (17-27): May 23,24
ON1255 (17-28): Mar 7, 12,17,23,26, Apr 7,12, 14,15(x2),16,19,21, May 3,22 TOWER
E-07: Mar 3(x3),4(x2),5, 8(x4),9,10(x2),29,30(x3), 31, Apr 1(x3),10,11, May 8,9(x3),11(x4),12,15, 16(x4),17(x3),18(x2), 19(x2),20(x4)
E-10: Mar 11,12(x4), 13(x2),14(x4),15(x3), 16(x2),18(x3),19(x2), 20(x3),22(x3),23(x2), 25,27,28(x4),29(x3), Apr 2(x2),3(x3),4(x2),5,6, 11,12(x2),13(x3),14,15, 16,19(x3),21,22,23(x2),27, 28(x2),29(x3),30(x2), May 2(x2),3,4(x2),5, 6(x2),7,14,15(x3),16,21, 22,23,24(x2),25(x2),26, 27,28,29(x2),30,31(x5)
W
TREARDDUR
BAY
B-847: Mar 26, May 27
TROON
D-821: Mar 27, Apr 18, May 5,13,14,25,31
ON1275 (14-38): Mar 18, 27,29, Apr 25, May 14, 25,31
TYNEMOUTH
D-829: Mar 7, Apr 4,6,30, May 5(x2),7,14,18
ON1263 (17-34): Mar 7, Apr 6,8, May 4,7
WALMER
B-808: Mar 2,20(x2), Apr 1,16,21,27
D-794: Mar 2,4,17,20(x2), 30, Apr 1,16, May 5,26
WALTON AND FRINTON
ON1299 (16-19): Mar 3
WELLS
D-797: Mar 22, Apr 8,27, May 5,10,17,19,20
ON1353 (13-46): May 18
ON SERVICE
ON1357 (13-50), The Campbell-Watson, Oban, 4 March
B-943, Harold Hobbs, St Peter Port, 27 March
NAMING CEREMONIES
D-880, David Radcliffe, Calshot, 16 March
D-884, Roy Norgrove, Swanage 23 March
D-878, Sally Forth, Blyth, 23 March
D-879, Thee Andy Cantle, Sunderland, 24 March
D-876, David H, Eastbourne, 13 April
D-885, Clive and Imelda Rawlins II, Trearddur Bay, 11 May
ON1355 (13-48), Roy Barker V, New Quay, 11 May
D-886, Will Morgan, New Quay, 11 May
D-890, Bill Hall, Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes, 26 May
Left: Morecambe hovercraft
The Hurley Flyer H-002
Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard
WEST KIRBY
D-883: Mar 13, Apr 26, May 6,25
WEST MERSEA
B-879: Mar 22,23,29,30, Apr 9,15,16,29(x2), May 12,14,18,19(x2),21,2 4(x2),25,26,30
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
B-875: Mar 11, Apr 11, 27, May 4,11,26
D-832: Mar 11, Apr 11, 24,27, May 6,11,12,26
WEYMOUTH
B-917: Mar 5,6,27,29, Apr 7,10,11,15,21,28, May 8
ON1261 (17-32): May 15, 25(x2),27,29,31 ON1278 (17-45): Mar 11, 28, Apr 7,22
WHITBY
D-810: Apr 7,11, May 7,21
ON1356 (13-49): May 6, 10,15,19
WHITSTABLE
B-877: Mar 16, Apr 12, 22,28, May 26,27
WICK
ON1224 (14-20): Apr 14,20
WICKLOW
D-806: Mar 14, Apr 13, May 9,21
ON1334 (13-27): May 9 ON1340 (13-33): Mar 13(x2),14,18
WITHERNSEA
D-837: May 4,19,24
WORKINGTON
D-767: Apr 28, May 1,24 ON1326 (13-19): Apr 28, May 24
YARMOUTH (IOW)
ON1249 (17-25): Mar 11, Apr 9,11, May 4,16,23,27
YOUGHAL
B-890: Apr 12, May 4,6, 31(x2)
LIFESAVER Julia Bray
Find
out how Julia and her dear dad are both saving lives at sea through Launch a Memory
Why did you choose to Launch a Memory for your dad?
My dad passed away from pancreatic cancer in early May 2019 after only being diagnosed, out of the blue, in late April. Launch a Memory began the same year. My mum came across it and we both thought adding dad’s name to a lifeboat was a perfect tribute to him. Dad loved the water. In his younger years, he made his own boat and was a sailing instructor. He took my brother and me dinghy sailing, canoeing and swimming at our local beach, and we’d visit RNLI stations on family holidays too.
What does Launch a Memory mean to you?
It helped me to grieve, and to actively remember dad in a way he’d be so proud of.
Dad’s name is on all but one of the Launch a Memory lifeboats. Now I’ve started, I can’t stop. On relief lifeboat Eric’s Legend, I added my own name alongside my dad’s so that we can sail the seas once again, side by side.
What inspired you to become a shore crew volunteer?
I feel connected to the Kent coast – I was born in Whitstable, moved to Herne Bay and now live in Margate. I've also made some very dear friends through the Launch a Memory supporters' Facebook group. Some are RNLI volunteers, and hearing their stories inspired me to volunteer around my day job too.
I started as a shop volunteer at Margate Lifeboat Station and then decided to give shore crew a go. It’s fantastic to be part of a superb team of people, all doing the same thing and sharing the same values.
The adrenaline flows when we launch the lifeboats, just as it does when one of the Launch a Memory lifeboats launches bearing dad’s name. Knowing that we are saving lives at sea is exciting, heartwarming and fills me with pride.
Photos: The Bray Family
Duncan and Julia ‘sail the seas once again, side by side’
BE A FACE-TO-FACE FUNDRAISER
GOOD PAY | EXCITING LOCATIONS | SKILLS FOR LIFE
There’s no job quite like an RNLI face-to-face fundraiser, and no two days the same. You’ll get out and about, learn new skills and make new friends. Every day, you’ll be inspired by the people you meet and the wonderful stories they share about what the RNLI means to them.
Our Face-to-Face Team is recruiting. As a fundraiser you’ll help us reach thousands of people every year, sharing safety messages and encouraging new supporters across the UK and Ireland to sign up and donate vital funds to support our lifesaving service.
Knowing that we are helping to keep people safe and raising funds to keep the lifeboats afloat gives me an immense amount of pride and satisfaction
Gill Mcilmoyle, Face-to-Face Team, Ireland
If you are interested in becoming a face-to-face fundraiser – or you know someone who is – find out more at RNLI.org/F2F or scan the QR code
Photo:
RNLI/Harrison Bates
Special delivery
Your letters, posts and pictures
BETH GRIFFIN posted:
‘Well done to the Jersey team for bringing this beautiful RNLI 200 mural to life!’ The mural by artist Ben Robertson (Bokra) is on the side of St Helier Lifeboat Station.
Topping
it all
Well done and thank you to everybody who knitted and crocheted so many lovely post box toppers to celebrate the 200th anniversary. So RNLI! Here’s a handful of the wonderful creations sent in by kind supporters and volunteers.
GREY (5) drew this wonderful picture, asking the public to 'Please help me donate to the RNLI'. Thank you Grey!
Was this a custom in your church?
I was born and raised in Cromer, Norfolk, and knew some of the men that were crewmen under Coxswain Henry Blogg. I was a member of the church choir. If the maroons were fired during a Sunday church service, then the service would pause and the choir and congregation would sing the first verse of Eternal Father, Strong to Save. My question to readers is this: did other churches near a lifeboat station observe a similar ritual, or was it unique to Cromer Church?
JONATHAN JESSOP
Photo: Bokraworld/Ben Robertson
Can you spot the church in this painting of Henry Blogg and crew on the Cromer lifeboat, by Charles Dixon?
Write to us
Were you moved by a rescue story? Do you want to know more about something you’ve read? We love hearing from you and seeing your photos. Please get in touch with us.
Teddy’s adventure
Teddy and I go to our local beach at Crosby on the Sefton coast at least a couple of times a week. The ever-watchful RNLI lifeguards are always on duty.
One Sunday, Teddy and I were walking along the beach as a full-scale emergency developed. A young mum and her baby were stuck in the sinking sand/mud. The RNLI lifeguards, HM Coastguard and emergency services all combined with a rapid response to get the mother and baby out.
STEVE MULVILLE AND TEDDY
editor at
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Photos: Richard Miles, Robin Piper, RNLI/Hoylake
Puzzle solution (page 32): (B) IT’S A RUBIE CLASS LIFEBOAT NAMED WILLIAM RILEY THE BOAT JOINED THE FLOTILLA OF LIFEBOATS AT POOLE LIFEBOAT FESTIVAL 2024.
Teddy at Crosby Beach, where lifeguards patrol 365 days a year
‘I was completely surprised when I opened your letter and saw the cheque for £5,000. I have never won anything before, so it was a joy to share it with my family’
Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard
Your RNLI family
The lives and loves of your fellow lifesavers
Eastbourne’s newest recruits
There’s been a baby boom in Eastbourne, with three little ones joining the RNLI family. Hunter, Arthur and Frankie were all born within a month of each other, and their dads are all long-standing volunteers at the station.
The proud fathers, Mick, Alex and Brandon, introduced their newborns to their volunteer colleagues ahead of the weekly training session, making sure there was time for a quick hello, a cuddle and a cup of tea.
Do you think Hunter, Arthur and Frankie will become the next generation of lifeboat crew at Eastbourne RNLI? We certainly hope so!
Welcome to Lerwick
There are two new recruits at Lerwick RNLI too! Paul Hutchison has moved to Shetland from the East Neuk of Fife, alongside his partner Crew Member Emily Hague, to become the station’s full time mechanic.
Paul was a volunteer with his local Coastguard Rescue Team, attending around 100 call outs a year, often with the RNLI involved too. He’s now based full-time at Lerwick, and spent 5 weeks training at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.
For the past 5 years, Emily has volunteered as lifeboat crew at Anstruther RNLI. She’s a marine biologist and currently in the final stages of her PhD studies.
Good luck in your new adventure, Paul and Emily!
(l-r:) Mick Wishman and Hunter, Alex Emberley and Arthur, Brandon Bentley and Frankie
Paul Hutchinson and Emily Hague join the Lerwick crew
Love on the lifeboat
Appledore is celebrating the engagement of Natalie Simmons and Richard Withey, who are both volunteer crew at the station.
The pair have been together for 15 years and joined the Appledore RNLI family 8 years ago. Natalie is a crew member, navigator and helm, and is also a trainee coxswain. Richard was on the shore crew, before passing out as crew. He is now a trainee mechanic.
Bob Meller, Appledore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, says: ‘Massive congratulations to Natalie and Richard from everyone at Appledore RNLI.’
We’re wishing the happy couple a lifetime of happiness.
Porthcawl legend retires
Philip Missen MBE has stepped down from the role of lifeboat operations manager at Porthcawl. Philip joined the RNLI as a volunteer in 1974, when he was just 20 years old. He soon became a competent crew member, often taking the role of helm during exercises and on call outs. In 1998, Philip became the station’s lifeboat operations manager, and was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the RNLI.
2024 marks Philip’s 50th year with Porthcawl RNLI – to put that into perspective, he’s served for 25% of our existence! ‘I will remain a volunteer here for as long as I am able,’ says Philip. ‘I have a variety of jobs to look forward to, none operational, but satisfying in a different way.’
Our heartfelt thanks to Philip for his hard work and dedication.
Porthcawl’s Philip Missen MBE retires
Celebrating life
Join us in remembering our RNLI family members who have recently passed away
Colin Bell – May 2024
Shop volunteer and supporter, Lytham St Annes
Adrian 'Cookie' Bird – February 2024
Former Helm at Swanage RNLI
Mary Breen – April 2024
Education and Water Safety Advisor at Lough Ree RNLI
Dennis Cooper – January 2024
Former Assistant Mechanic at Ramsgate RNLI
David Duncombe – February 2024
Secretary and Chairman of Chippenham and District Branch
Alan Fairclough – January 2024
Former Crew Member at Whitby RNLI
Gary Fyfe – February 2024
Helm at Red Bay RNLI
Peter Bryan Horsler – September 2023
Former Branch Chair and Committee Member for Luton Branch
Muriel Jealous – April 2024
Former Chair of the St Annes Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild
Pat Kelly – April 2024
Fundraising Branch Secretary and Station Manager at Lough Derg RNLI
Anne Mackinnon – February 2024
Fundraiser at the Edinburgh Guild
Ernest Morton – February 2024
Former Postroom Assistant in Poole
John Owen – January 2024
Former Area Organiser, Southern Region
David Perkins – January 2022
Committee Member at the Nuneaton and District Branch
Clive Plummer – May 2023
Co-founder and Chairman at the Nuneaton and District Branch
David Rhodes – February 2024
Former Chair of the Wiltshire Marlborough Branch
Jane Stuart – March 2024
Former Committee Member at the St Annes
Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild
Steve Vince – January 2024
Former Coxswain/Mechanic at Poole RNLI
Nick Wareing – April 2024
Fundraiser and volunteer at Lytham St Annes RNLI
Maurice Woodward – December 2023
Collecting Box Secretary at the Coleshill and District Branch
Ian Young – April 2023
Co-founder, Committee Member and Treasurer at the Nuneaton and District Branch
Richard Withey and Natalie Simmons will be tying the knot!
