Welsh RNLI volunteers recognised for 140 years of service

The RNLI has released new data from 2025, which shows lifeboats in Wales launched over 1,180 times last year. RNLI lifeboat crews at Wales’ 30 lifeboat station from Flint to Penarth saved 51 lives and aided 948 people.

The number of RNLI lifeboat shouts across Wales increased by more than 100 last year compared to 2024, with the total figure going from 1048 to 1180.

Porthcawl, Tenby and The Mumbles were Wales’ busiest stations with the highest number of launches. Holyhead, Llandudno and St Davids volunteer crews all saved the lives of 4 individuals, whilst Burry Port saved 5 people and the Porthcawl crew saved 15.

The total number of launches for RNLI stations on the Isle of Anglesey (Beaumaris, Holyhead, Moelfre and Trearddur Bay) increased from 147 in 2024 to 152 last year, with Trearddur Bay having the most launches at 47, closely followed by Beaumaris at 45.

In Conwy County, Llandudno and Conwy Lifeboat Station’s launches increased from 66 to 73. Flint and Ceredigion RNLI stations also saw an increase in launches and in Pembrokeshire (Angle, Fishguard, Little & Broad Haven, St Davids, Tenby), the total number of launches increased by 30 in 2025 compared to 2024 (234 to 264). The number of people aided also went up from 152 to 186.

Burry Port RNLI in Carmarthenshire as well as Horton & Port Eynon and The Mumbles stations also saw an increase in launches. In the Vale of Glamorgan, Penarth and Barry Dock Lifeboat Stations had more launches last year going from 80 in 2024 to 114. Their people aided figure almost doubled from 77 in 2024 to 145 in 2025.

Across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, RNLI lifeboat crews helped 8,290 people and saved 272 lives as the charity’s lifeboats launched more than 9,000 times in 2025, making it the sixth-busiest year in the charity’s history.

The RNLI data shows the high demand on lifeboat crews across the charity’s 238 lifeboat stations, and so the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, urging the public to get involved with its biggest national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile, to help fund its vital lifesaving service.

Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every penny raised helping to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond. Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.

At Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station, the crew saved two lives last year while aiding another 10 casualties. Four of Porthdinllaen’s volunteer lifeboat crew are to receive Long Service Awards for their 140 years combined service of saving lives at sea.

Long Service Awards are the RNLI’s way of recognising the dedication and commitment of long serving volunteers. At Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station, Geraint Humphreys, Robat Jones and Dylan Thomas are being commemorated with their awards after 40 years of service for the RNLI. Caryl Thomas is also receiving her award for 20 years of dedication to the RNLI.

Robat Jones began his journey in 1986 at the age of 22. Robat started as a navigator and deputy second coxswain, then became second coxswain in 1994. Since then, Robat has served on three lifeboats, the Kathleen Mary, Hetty Rampton and present Tamar class lifeboat John D Spicer, while serving under three different Coxswains.

Dylan Thomas has progressed through many different roles in the RNLI, serving as lifeboat crew and third mechanic. He currently holds the role of lifeboat press officer, head launcher, plant operator and launch authority. n. Dylan plays a massive role in the operations that occur behind the scenes at Porthdinllaen RNLI and is a valued member of the team.

Dylan has family roots in the RNLI, with his father working as a mechanic for a short period in the 1960’s. Dylan’s niece is Caryl Thomas, one of the second coxswain’s at Porthdinllaen, also receiving a long service award for her 20yrs of service. Dylan began his service in June 1986 at the age of 17, but his interest in the RNLI sparked from an even younger age. Dylan said:

‘As a young child I was amazed looking at the RNLI lifeboat, the Charles Henry Ashley launching down the slipway. I had an ambition from that very day to be part of the crew.’

Dylan and Robat were involved in the Kimya tragedy of 1991. Dylan said:

‘The most memorable event in my years on the lifeboat was the Kimya tragedy. The conditions were awful and we were tasked at approx. 2.15am on 5 January 1991, responding to a distress call, a small tanker, the Kimya.

‘It was a 13-hour long shout, sadly resulting in ten sailors’ losing their lives that night. Of the crew onboard the lifeboat that night, only Robat and myself are still serving volunteers at Porthdinllaen RNLI.’

Geraint Humphryes joined Porthdinllaen in 1986 at the age of 20. Geraint is a crew member on the lifeboat, officially celebrating his 40 years’ service in November 2026. Geraint also has family members within the RNLI, with his youngest son also on Porthdinllaen lifeboat, recently passing out as a mechanic at the station.

Caryl Thomas, receiving her 20 years Long Service Award, joined the RNLI at the age of 16. Caryl wanted to follow in her grandfather, father and uncle’s (Dylan Thomas) footsteps, having a deep-rooted family history within the RNLI and Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station. Caryl said:

‘The RNLI is close to me and my family, after having generations serving on Porthdinllaen lifeboat. I also wanted to help and give back to my community, alongside pursuing the RNLI’s mission, to save lives at sea.’

Caryl has progressed throughout her years at the station, beginning as crew to becoming a coxswain, alongside completing her navigators plan and currently her mechanic's plan. Throughout her experience on the lifeboat, Caryl has many memorable rescues. She recalled a recent rescue to a father and son, who found themselves in difficulty on a paddleboard. Both had fallen into the water and became very cold and panicked. Caryl said:

‘Once we brought them onboard the lifeboat, I reassured them both that they were now safe. Seeing the relief and smile returning to their face as time passed was just amazing.’

Robat Jones, Second Coxswain at Porthdinllaen RNLI said:

‘From our years of service to this lifesaving charity, we know firsthand that every second counts when you’re in danger in the water.

‘So, we’re asking people for their support to get behind our Mayday campaign to help keep you and your family safe at the coast this summer and beyond.’

Lee Firman, Area Operations Manager for Porthdinllaen RNLI said:

‘Geraint, Robat, Dylan and Caryl’s achievement and dedication over decades of saving lives at sea is exceptional, which the RNLI are very grateful for. Congratulations to each of them and this recognition is so well deserved. I know the wider station team are very proud.

‘You can help make sure that RNLI lifesavers like the Porthdinllaen crew, have everything they need to keep people safe by taking part in the Mayday Mile yourself. Cover one mile a day throughout the month, wherever and however you like.’

To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday 

Notes to editors

• Bilingual interviews are available on request.

• For access to a collection of high res images to download please follow: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/F5086100-7061-4583-8BEA6D913ABD37B7/

• Porthdinllaen lifeboat station was founded in 1864, and home to a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat. Throughout the station’s history, its crews have been presented with five awards for gallantry.

• Almost half of RNLI lifeboat stations in Wales saw an increase in the number of launches in 2025 compared to 2024.

• Porthcawl, Tenby and The Mumbles were Wales’ busiest stations in terms of lifeboat launches. Porthcawl, Angle and Barry Dock lifeboats aided the most people.

• In 2025 Porthcawl RNLI saved 15 lives, Burry Port saved 5, and Holyhead, Llandudno and St Davids lifeboats each saved 4 lives.

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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