Is this the ultimate in air/sea rescue cooperation?
The marriage took place on Thursday (31 March) between Lucy Zalot, a volunteer crew member of the Beaumaris RNLI lifeboat, and Alec Aspden, a winchman paramedic on the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.
Alec was winched down from the RAF helicopter to the child. He then remained with the child in the Beaumaris RNLI lifeboat so that they could reunite the youngster with his parents on the beach.
The Beaumaris RNLI lifeboat crew had been invited to the evening reception, but as Thursday is the official training night for the crew the training exercise was moved forward to early Thursday afternoon.
So a surprise awaited the volunteer lifeboat crew when Lucy in her bridal gown and Alec in his wedding suit visited the lifeboat station to pose for pictures just prior to the launch.
Lucy, a primary school teacher who has been a volunteer crew member at Beaumaris RNLI for 17 years, and Alec, who works for Bristow Helicopters which operate the search and rescue helicopters on behalf of the HM Coastguard, said: 'We had an amazing day, which was made even more special by the turn out of Beaumaris RNLI lifeboat crew.'
Notes to editors:
The attached photos should be credited to Ian Sankey.
The charity welcomes people from all walks of life and no previous sea-going experience is needed to join the lifeboat crew. The RNLI provides fantastic training to turn ordinary people into lifesavers. By volunteering with the RNLI people will gain some great experience, knowledge and skills.
Beaumaris RNLI are always looking for new volunteers to help run the lifesaving service. If you are aged 17 or over, physically fit, work or live within 10 minutes of the lifeboat station and eager to join a lifesaving organisation then please come by and say hello.
During the winter the volunteers meet every Sunday morning at 10.00am and Thursday evenings at 6.00pm for their weekly training exercises.
Lifeboat Open Day 2016 will be Saturday 20 August 10:30am to 4.30pm. Stalls and events at the Boathouse, subject to operational requirements a display by the lifeboat.
For more information please telephone John Pulford, Beaumaris RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press officer on 07824 764474 or Chris Cousens R N L I Press officer Wales & west on 01745 585162.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.