Cowes helmsman Laurie is honoured with an official farewell
The departure from Cowes RNLI lifeboat of one of its helms was marked with a presentation ceremony at the station.
Laurie O' Callaghan’s local lifeboat connection began back in 2007 when he joined the-then independent lifeboat as a prospective crew member. The following year he became a fully-fledged crew member.
Although he left before the RNLI took over the service in 2008, two years later he was back again, and in 2014 he joined his father, Richard, as one of the station’s helms. Although Richard eventually retired as a helm, Laurie continued in the role until his work and personal commitments meant he was no longer available.
As a 2nd officer with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, he currently has a shore-based post at Portsmouth Dockyard, and a home in North Somerset. In November he married Emily who is a 3rd officer with the RFA.
'My father encouraged me to join Cowes lifeboat and I have very good memories of my time here,' said Laurie, now aged 32.
Cowes operations manager, Mark Southwell, praised his seamanship and leadership while at Cowes. 'Hopefully one day he will live near a lifeboat station and serve with the RNLI again,' he added.
End
Caption to photo: Laurie receives the RNLI’s Certificate of Service and a framed photograph from the Cowes Operations Manager, Mark Southwell. (photo by Nick Edwards)
RNLI media contacts:
- George Chastney, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07530 254052/ [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Media Regional Officer (London/East/South East) 0207 6207426/ 07785 296252/ [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
· RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.cowes-lifeboat.org.uk or http://www.rnli.org/ Cowes Lifeboat Station can also be found on Facebook and Twitter
· News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
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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