Donate now

Pioneering RNLI heroine Aileen Jones receives MBE

Lifeboats News Release

Medal-winning lifeboat crew member Aileen Jones has been recognised for her years of bravery and dedication by being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year.

Download image
Aileen Jones was the first female crew member to receive a gallantry award. She was also one of the RNLI's first female helms; one of the first female Launching Authorities, and the first female crew member at Porthcawl Lifeboat Station. 

As a volunteer, she has completely immersed herself in supporting every aspect of the station – one of the busiest in Wales – for the past 21 years.

In 2004 her bravery was recognised with the award of the RNLI bronze medal, presented by The Duke of Kent, for Aileen’s heroic actions in a particularly difficult rescue. Aileen and her crew went to assist a fishing vessel, Gower Pride, that had suffered engine failure in rough seas.  They saved two lives that night. 
But as Philip Missen, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthcawl says, she is much more than an outstanding lifeboat helm.  Philip said: 'Aileen drives the launching tractor, she is a fundraiser, educator and a community ambassador.  In 2010 she took on the role of Deputy Launching Authority at the station, where her experience and wisdom have commanded the unqualified respect of the crew. But she is never happier then when operating the 9 tonne Talus launching tractor – she is known as the happiest tractor driver in Porthcawl!'

Aileen says: 'The RNLI is something I’ve been involved in since I was about 12 or 13. My brother was on the crew and I would always follow him down to the station, and hang around. I was probably a right pain in the neck! I’ve always been involved in boats and I wanted to join the crew when I was 17 but there just weren’t women on the crew in those days. They weren’t seen as a good thing. It’s very different today. I eventually joined when I was 30 and, when I did, the crew were very supportive. In a way, it was better for me to join them as I’d had my family by then.'

Such was her passion for the RNLI that Aileen recruited her husband and her two children to become members of the crew.  Her son is now following in her footsteps, training to become a lifeboat helm.  As a family, they have given unstintingly to the community and to the RNLI, and Aileen is well known for dropping everything, at any time, to drive round the country to speak on behalf of the charity.
Aileen, who is also a nursery nurse at a primary school, says: 'I’d love to still be on the boat but my age is creeping up. I’m just glad I can still play an active role.'
She says that receiving the MBE was completely unexpected. 'I had a letter from the Cabinet Office and thought ‘Oh no, what have I done?’ When I saw what it was, it was a huge surprise.'

Aileen adds: “I wouldn’t have got this award without the support of the crew over all the years I’ve been at the station. The crew and my family. I couldn’t do it on my own.'

Notes to editors:
Photo credit: Ben Gilbert
For more information please contact RNLI Press Office on tel: 01202 336789

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.

About the author

RNLI Press Office

Categories