RNLI New Brighton welcomes charity’s new chief executive to lifeboat station
Mark Dowie called in to RNLI New Brighton Lifeboat Station on 8 May as part of a visit to the North West and Wales region. Mark spent time talking to volunteers and toured the station ahead of assuming his role at RNLI headquarters.
Accompanied by RNLI Community Lifesaving Director John Payne, RNLI Chief Executive Mark Dowie met with New Brighton Lifeboat Station volunteers as part of a visit to Merseyside including stops at Hoylake and West Kirby lifeboat stations, as well as meeting RNLI lifeguards on patrol at Sefton.
Volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager until last week, Mark spent around an hour at RNLI New Brighton talking to volunteers from different roles including lifeboat crew, the shop and members of the operations management teams. He said: ‘Having been involved with the day-to-day operations of a busy lifeboat station in Salcombe for the past two years, I was keen to get out and about on the coast before starting my role in the office next week.
‘I’m always impressed by the commitment and dedication shown by all volunteers within our lifesaving charity and New Brighton is no exception. Both John and I enjoyed a warm welcome and were delighted that so many of the New Brighton team took time from their day jobs to show us around.'
RNLI New Brighton Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian Thornton said: ‘It was great to welcome Mark and John to our boathouse, demonstrated by around a dozen of our volunteers on hand to greet them – a fantastic turnout for the middle of the working day and week.'
Mark and John are also scheduled to visit Flint and Rhyl lifeboat stations this week.
Mark formally starts as chief executive of the charity that saves lives at sea, on 15 May 2019.
For more on Mark’s appointment, visit https://rnli.org/support-us/become-a-volunteer/volunteer-zone/volunteer-news/from-volunteer-to-chief-executive-mark-dowie-is-our-new-leader
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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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