Former Criccieth RNLI Senior Helmsman retires

In subsequent years, Paul became a valued Crewmember before his dedication and skill saw him promoted to Helmsman and then Senior Helmsman in 2004 – a post he held for 14 years. Paul has remained on the Crew since stepping-down from that role, combining his continued service at Criccieth with that of Flood Rescue Manager for Wales for the RNLI’s Flood Rescue Team.

During his service, Paul has been awarded numerous awards and accolades including a Long Service Badge and a further Bar to denote 30 years of service with the charity. He has also received an RNLI Chairman’s Letter of Thanks and a Letter of Commendation from the RNLI’s Chief Executive Officer following his service at the 2009 floods in Cockermouth. Due to his extensive experience, Paul has often been seen and heard on national television and radio providing insights to the charity’s work and offering life-saving advice to the public. Paul has also taken part in numerous fundraising appeals across the country.

Ahead of his retirement, Criccieth’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Will Walker-Jones stated “I’d like to thank Paul for his dedicated service and friendship over the years. Paul’s outstanding commitment to the Station and the RNLI is remarkable and over the years he has played a crucial role in saving numerous lives in Tremadog Bay and further afield. In addition, Paul’s experience has enabled him to help train many more Crewmembers and Helmsmen over the years. I hope Paul continues to call-in at the Station following his retirement and retains an association with the RNLI’.

As he prepares to stand-down Paul added ‘It has been a pleasure and honour to volunteer at Criccieth for the past 37 years and the RNLIs Flood Rescue Team for 20 years. I have met and worked with some wonderful people and it was privilege to have been the Senior Helm for 14 of those years. It's going to be very difficult to fill the gap that was my life with the RNLI. Criccieth has some fantastic Crewmembers and fundraisers. They will all be very capable guardians of our part of the coast. Criccieth is also blessed with some very keen young crew and the station will be well looked after in the future. I will miss them all'.


ENDS

For further information, please contact Ifer Gwyn on 07554445316 or [email protected]

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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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