Ellie to the Rescue - Penarth lifeboat launches to Sully Island
A trainee crew member from Penarth RNLI station attended her first shout today, leaving lessons and the classroom to do so!
Penarth's smaller D-class lifeboat was launched following reports of two people being cut off on Sully Island shortly after 1:30pm. As the lifeboat rushed to the island the volunteers received notification that the two people had made it back to the mainland, but even so a check was made of the Island to ensure that no one else was cut off.
Ellie, who has undergone her initial crew training and assessment was one of the first crew at the station and was able to go out on the lifeboat with other more trained crew members. After the shout Ellie said, "Ive been training now for a few months, getting ready for my first shout. It was a bit funny leaving school, but everyone has been so helpful in letting me follow my dream of being a crew member".
Jason Dunlop, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: "Ellie has worked really hard to join the crew, and I am so pleased that she got out on the lifeboat today. As a charity we depend on members of the community regardless of age, and Ellie is making a real contribution to saving lives at sea".
Notes to editor
Attached is a photo of Ellie-Rose Griffiths, crew member at Penarth lifeboat station.
RNLI media contact
For further information please contact Andy Berry, LPO Penarth Lifeboat station, 07951 051128
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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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