Porthdinllaen trio celebrate 80 years of saving lives at sea
Three volunteer crew members at Porthdinllaen RNLI Station have been awarded after reaching a combined 80 year service at the station.
Second coxswain Robert Jones and Crew Member Geraint Humphreys, have both served for 30 years, and Winchman Gwilym Jones reached his 20 year milestone recently. All three were presented recently by former Coxswain and Deputy Launching Authority at Porthdinllaen, Captain Peter Jones, with Robert and Geraint receiving a gold bar to their long service medal, and Gwilym with his long service medal in recognition of their service to the RNLI.
Robert Jones said: 'Thirty years have flown past, and during this period we have seen a lot of changes in the equipment we used. When I first joined, Porthdinllaen RNLI station had a Watson class lifeboat capable of a maximum of 8 knots in speed. In 1987 we were lucky enough to receive a Tyne Class lifeboat which had a maximum speed of 8 knots and to our present lifeboat, a Tamar class lifeboat, which has a maximum speed of 25 knots, I am glad to have had the opportunity to serve on the Porthdinllaen lifeboat'
Geraint added 'It`s not only the lifeboat that we have served have changed but the technology on board has also evolved. The only piece of electronic on the old Watson class lifeboat was the radar, where our present lifeboat is equipped with a modern electronic navigation system specifically developed by the RNLI. I feel privileged to have served at the station during this period'
Gwilym added 'All three of us are proud to have been able to carry on the tradition of the RNLI at Porthdinllaen and will continue to serve for years to come. I am as enthusiastic now as I was when I first joined, the younger crew keep pulling my leg that they will name the kettle after me when I decide to retire'.
Captain Peter Jones and Keneth Fitzpatrick, Launch Operations Manager both agreed ' We would like to congratulate Robert, Geraint and Gwilym on reaching such a significant milestone and wish them continued success at Porthdinllaen'.
RNLI media contact
For more information contact Dylan Parry Thomas, Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Press Officer on 07747 600019. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390.
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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