RNLI New Quay Lifeboat Operations Manager visits counterpart at Newquay Cornwall

The two lifeboat stations are nearly 300-miles apart by road but share proud histories of voluntary service to the RNLI dating back to the 1860's, and this is believed to be the first time in their respective stations' histories that their two station managers have met.

As volunteer Lifeboat Operations Managers, Roger and Gareth are responsible for managing all operational activities at their respective RNLI stations; from authorising the launch of the charity's lifeboats in an emergency to handling the day-to-day management of the stations. Sharing very similar names, the two lifeboat stations have often had to redirect routine enquiries and mail to their namesake, so when Roger visited Cornwall for a week's holiday the two RNLI volunteers took the opportunity to meet up.

Newquay's Gareth Horner welcomed Roger and his wife to the lifeboat station at Newquay Harbour, where they met other RNLI volunteers and exchanged gifts. Roger presented the Cornish team with a book  by local New Quay author, Roger Bryan, commemorating 150-years of the Welsh lifeboat station, and Gareth presented a framed photograph of Newquay's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Gladys Mildred responding to an emergency call.

A Newquay RNLI volunteer said: 'The RNLI is one big family, and all its volunteers are dedicated to saving lives at sea, no matter where in the country they operate, so it was a great pleasure to welcome Roger and his wife to Newquay from our Welsh RNLI namesake!’

Notes to editors
Attached picture: Newquay RNLI's Gareth Horner (left) meets his counterpart, Roger Couch from New Quay in West Wales. Credit: RNLI/Newquay. 

New Quay lifeboat station has been operating since 1864. Today there are twenty five trained crew members, a Mersey class all weather lifeboat and an inshore rescue craft. 
 
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