RNLI thank Valero who continue to fuel lifesaving partnership

Valero Pembroke Refinery has been supporting the two all-weather lifeboat stations since 2005; donating enough fuel annually for a Tamar class lifeboat to travel all around the UK - with still some fuel to spare!

10,000 litres of fuel is donated annually by Valero to both Angle RNLI and Tenby RNLI. The total amount of donated fuel, 20,000 litres, would be enough for one Tamar class all-weather lifeboat to travel from either Angle or Tenby, all around the UK (anti-clockwise) back round to Pembrokeshire and continue down into Cornwall – all whilst travelling at the Tamar’s full-speed capacity of 25 knots.

Last year both Angle and Tenby lifeboat crew launched on service a total of 108 times between them. Angle’s all-weather lifeboat launched on service 50 times as well as seven inshore lifeboat rescues; whilst Tenby’s Tamar class lifeboat launched 29 times and the inshore lifeboat responding to 22 services in 2016.

Lewis Creese, Coxswain of Angle lifeboat said: ‘Without fuel the lifeboats wouldn’t be able to launch and we as crew wouldn’t be able to save lives at sea.

‘On behalf of the RNLI I would like to thank Valero for their continued support to the local crews at Tenby and Angle. We would also like to thank local company KP Thomas fuel distribution for collecting the fuel and delivering to both Angle and Tenby without charge.’

Stephen Thornton, Refinery Public Affairs Manager, said: ‘Pembroke Refinery is located on the Milford Haven Waterway, and living and working on the coast as we do Valero understands the critical importance of staying safe on the open water. The refinery’s annual fuel donation is one small, practical way we can show our support for the RNLI and their volunteers who do such an incredible job in saving lives at sea.’

Notes to editor:

The attached pictures, which should be credited to RNLI/Angle, show:

Valero's Public Affairs Manager Stephen Thornton on board Angle RNLI's Tamar class all weather lifeboat Mark Mason with Second Coxswain Danny Richards (left), Coxswain Lewis Creese and Lifeboat Operations Manager Julian Hammond.

Valero's Public Affairs Manager Stephen Thornton on the stern deck of Angle RNLI's Tamar class all weather lifeboat Mark Mason with Coxswain Lewis Creese, Second Coxswain Danny Richards, Lifeboat Operations Manager Julian Hammond and lifeboat and shore crew members.

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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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