RNLI Chief Executive visits New Quay Lifeboat Station
New Quay RNLI received a special visitor on Monday 5 August when Mark Dowie, the RNLI’s new Chief Executive, came to visit the lifeboat station.
Mr Dowie, who was recently appointed as Chief Executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, was invited to visit the lifeboat station by the crew. Roger Couch, New Quay RNLI’s Operations Manager said, “When Mr Dowie was appointed we decided to send him an email to invite him to New Quay. We were delighted when he accepted.”
Mr Dowie met with crew members, fundraisers and shop volunteers, and also called in at the RNLI lifeguard unit on the main beach. Coxswain Dan Potter and Mechanic Bernie Davies then showed him around the station’s Mersey class all-weather lifeboat, the Frank and Lena Clifford of Stourbridge, and the D-class inshore lifeboat, Audrey LJ.
Mr Dowie was presented with a copy of the book The New Quay Lifeboats, which was written by local author Roger Bryan to mark the station’s 150th anniversary in 2014, as a memento of his visit, before everyone enjoyed an afternoon tea prepared by New Quay RNLI’s fundraising team.
Mr Dowie said, “It was a pleasure meeting all the volunteers of New Quay Lifeboat Station and I am extremely grateful for all that they do for the RNLI in Cardigan Bay.”
Roger Couch added, “We would like to thank Mr Dowie for coming to see us and for giving us an insight into the running of the charity. We wish him all the best in his new role.”
The RNLI operates over 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 142,200 lives.
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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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