RNLI Weston-super-Mare lifeboat crew member in first training session afloat
Sunday 3 February was a day of accomplishment for RNLI Weston volunteer Matt Lyons as he successfully completed his first step towards becoming qualified boat crew aboard the D class lifeboat, Adrian Beaumont.
His first task is to develop local knowledge of Weston Bay, while gaining familiarisation with the lifeboat and its operating procedures. For his first exercise, he launched as part of a three person crew via the low water route around Marine Lake to reach the low water launch point.
Matt joined the RNLI at its current temporary base on Knightstone Island on Weston’s seafront 2 years ago when he joined as shore crew.
Although he had no previous nautical experience or family links to the RNLI, Matt joined the crew and has now attended over 100 emergency calls.
When asked about how he became interested in the RNLI and why he wanted to volunteer, Matt said: ‘In my work role as a Subject Area Manager at Weston College, I was watching a launch one day from my classroom window and was interested in how I could become involved and help. I then discovered that one of my students was on the crew and we got chatting about it all. I decided I would like to give it a try and do something for the good of the people around Weston’.
Matt’s job involves a teaching timetable along with his Head of Department duties, but he says it works well alongside his volunteering as holiday times and work hours enable him to be able to provide cover in the stations busy periods of summer, evenings and weekends.
Matt and his partner Jodie have an 11 week old baby who they have named Oliver.
He continues: ‘Jodie has always been really supportive of me being in the RNLI. Many times we have had to drop everything and get to the station. She is slightly more nervous with me starting my boat crew journey, but as always, is fully supportive’.
Matt now commences a development plan to become fully trained boat crew in addition to his current shore crew duties, which will aid the RNLI in its purpose of saving lives at sea.
Notes to editors
The photographs attached should be credited to the RNLI/Weston and show the following:
· New boat crew member Matt Lyons standing by the D class lifeboat, Adrian Beaumont, on the slipway at Marine Lake.
· The D class lifeboat, Adrian Beaumont, being moved to the low water launch. The lifeboat is transported on the BV206 launch vehicle and trailer.
RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact Weston-super-Mare RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Glyn Hayes on 01934 645555 or 07774 181418 or RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Cai Budd on 07854 199693 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Lifeboats in service at Weston-super-Mare
- Atlantic 75 class lifeboat named Paul Alexander
- D-Class lifeboat named Adrian Beaumont
The station was established in 1882 at the request of the local inhabitants and moved into its boathouse in 1902. In 2013 we had to leave our lifeboat station on Birnbeck Island as the access pier had become too dangerous. The temporary station at Knightstone is until we can get a new station built.
To find out more information about Weston-super-Mare lifeboat and for recent events, please log onto our website or contact Glyn Hayes on 01934 645555.
The RNLI’s annual running costs are around £176.5m (2017) – approximately £485,000 per day – and, as a registered charity, the organisation continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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 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.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.