New LOM at Holyhead Lifeboat Station

Long-serving Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) Graham Drinkwater has stood down from his role after almost ten years.

Before taking on the LOM role in 2009, Graham served as Deputy Launch Authority (DLA) from 2005-2009, and was the station coxswain for several years until 2001. Graham has been part of the RNLI in Holyhead for over 50 years; his first shout as a 19 year old back in 1966 was the famous Nafsiporos rescue, where a Russian freighter got into difficulties in high seas off the Anglesey coast, and crews from Holyhead and Moelfre risked their lives in 100mph hurricane winds to save all on board.

Incoming LOM is Hefin Francis, who has been with Holyhead RNLI since 2007, first as shore crew, then as a crewman on the all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce (where he qualified as a navigator); and more recently he has been deputy LOM. Hefin is a retired manager at the School of Psychology at Bangor University, and lives in Holyhead with his wife Shubha.

The LOM role, which was formerly known as Honorary Secretary, or Hon Sec, involves overseeing the general operation of the station and lifeboats, giving authority for them to launch, and liaising with the emergency services and other organisation where necessary, as well as having a major part in any changes and developments made at the station.

“I’m very much looking forward to the role; and I hope to keep the crew and the boat in the style to which they have become accustomed and deserve” he said.

Graham is remaining a part of the team in Holyhead, as a DLA.

Photographs show incoming LOM Hefin Francis, along with outgoing LOM Graham Drinkwater, and the Holyhead coxswain Tony Price. Also joining with them is new DLA Iwan Williams, who is pictured receiving his lifeboat pager. Iwan was a member of the crew for many years, and is now returning to the station after a break.

For more information please contact:

Vicki Owens, Lifeboat Press Officer (Holyhead)

07531 681409 or [email protected]

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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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