New Coxswain appointed at Porthdinllaen RNLI Station
Porthdinllaen RNLI Lifeboat welcomed their new Coxswain on board this week after successfully completing his Search and Rescue training.
Porthdinllaen RNLI Lifeboat welcomed their new Coxswain on board this week after successfully completing his Search and Rescue training.
Owain Williams has now taken over Coxswain duties at Porthdinllaen following the retirement of former Coxswain Michael Davies. Owain was appointed to the Coxswain role in April, and is currently the youngest Coxswain in Wales. Owain has spent the last few weeks perfecting his Search and Rescue skills at various Stations around the coast and at Porthdinllaen under the watchful eye of Stuart Wallace, Area Lifesaving Manager and Training Instructor Simon Bunting.
Owain, 29 was born and raised in Aberdaron, a small picturesque village at the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula. A fisherman`s son, Owain spent a lot of his childhood on his father’s boat and was an avid member of the sailing club in Aberdaron.
At the age of 16 and completion of his education at Ysgol Botwnnog, Owain decided on a career at sea, and studied Nautical Science at Fleetwood Nautical College. His first trip away at sea was as a Cadet, embarking on a four month voyage on Container ship working on the Far East to USA route. A further three years saw Owain travel the world working on different vessel`s. A short period later saw Owain working on harbour Tugs at Milford Haven before joining GulfMark as a 2nd Officer working on various drill ships and supply vessels in the North Sea. During his time with Gulf Mark, Owain successfully obtained his Chief Mate unlimited Certificate of Competence.
Ken Fitzpatrick, Launch Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen added ‘ I am pleased to announce that Owain Williams, our new Coxswain at Porthdinllaen, after tonight`s exercise has successfully completed all his training and will take charge of the Lifeboat full time. In the short time Owain has been with us, he has impressed in his approach and professionalism. All of us at Porthdinllaen wish him well and look forward to working alongside Owain'.
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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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