Barmouth RNLI celebrate long serving crew members as they hang up their pagers
The end of October 2019 saw Barmouth RNLI say farewell and thank you to three of their long serving volunteer crew members.
RNLI Lifeboat Crew, fundraisers and their families gathered at Barmouth Boathouse to celebrate the contribution that David Baily, Steve Hassan and Bill Whitehead have made as volunteers as they hung up their pagers.
Coxswain Pete Davies surprised the trio who thought the gathering was to celebrate and thank the Barmouth volunteer crew and their families for all the additional hours of training undertaken since All Weather lifeboat (ALB), Shannon Class, Ella Larsen arrived on station in March this year. However, unbeknown to them, it was a celebration of the contribution they had all made to participating in such a successful team over the years.
The three unsuspecting crew members were David Baily who retired as Lifeboat operations manager (LOM), previously a deputy launching authority and deputy lifeboat training co-ordinator. It was he who lead the inception of having a Shannon Class ALB at the Barmouth lifeboat station, 9 years service.
Dr Steve Hassan, ALB/ILB crew member, ALB coxswain, lifeboat medical adviser and as divisional trainer has been instrumental in training other crew members. 36 years service.
Dr Bill Whitehead, ALB crew member and lifeboat medical advisor who helped developed the medical training at sea for the crew. 25 years service.
Coxswain Pete Davies gave a vote of thanks for each crew member as certificates and gifts were presented by incoming LOM Mark James, but finished by inviting up the wives of the three to which he said: ‘Behind every good man is an even better lady.’ Flowers and thanks were gifted to the wives Linda, Kate and Hazel.
For more information please contact Sarah Radford Barmouth Lifeboat Deputy Press Officers on 07887492210 or Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer – Wales and North West on 07771941390/01745585162
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally, the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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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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.