RNLI Helm Jake Retires After 22 years of Saving Lives At Sea
14th August was a sad day for the volunteers in Portishead as helmsman Jake Scott hung up his dry suit for the last time.
On reaching the retirement age for inshore lifeboat crew, you will now see Jake down at the lifeboat station taking the calls from the HM Coastguards when they request for us to launch on service.
Jake has been serving as a crew volunteer for the RNLI since 1998, dedicating 22 years of his life to help save lives at sea. He has launched on service countless times and braved all weathers, all times of day or night to keep our community safe. Not only has he been a Helm, he has been our Lifeboat Training Coordinator where he and his team ensure our volunteers are safe and fully qualified to go to sea when ever the pager goes.
Dave Slack, Lifeboat Operations Manager said ‘On behalf of myself, the station management team, the crew and the rest of the RNLI Portishead family, I would like to thank Jake for his 22 years at sea, as part of the RNLI lifeboat crew. I would also like to acknowledge the level of commitment and dedication, required to serve as a volunteer for this length of time.
Like myself, and other members of our team, Jake has now had to step down from sea going operations, which will take him some time to come to terms with. However, Jake will continue to serve as a keystone of our team, as one of my Deputy Launching Authorities and as a Lifeboat Training Assessor. So, Jake starts a new chapter in his distinguished RNLI career, and I look forward to continuing this journey with him. Well done Jake, from all of us.’
RNLI notes to editorsImages are ©RNLI Portishead
1 – Jake Scott
2 – Jake receiving his 20yr award from Dave Slack in 2018
3 – Jake at sea with his RNLI colleagues
4 – Jake was featured on the Saving Lives At Sea BBC 2 Documentary in 2019
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland
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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