Looe RNLI volunteer crew deliver marriage proposal

Yesterday, Wednesday 24 November 2021, was our volunteer crew Aaron Rix’s 30th birthday. Looe RNLI volunteer crews normally train on a Wednesday evening, but Aaron, with his girlfriend Katie Fisher joined their families for a birthday celebration meal at The Sardine Factory restaurant on West Looe quay.

Aaron, unbeknown to Katie, had arranged for his crewmates to deliver his marriage proposal by lifeboat. The quayside restaurant overlooks the river - allowing the charity’s Atlantic 85 Roy Snewin to come right alongside, escorted by the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith. Looking out of the window Katie watched as our crew unfurled a banner to pop the question “Will you marry me? Katie Fisher” After getting down on one knee to propose, Aaron took Katie down onto the quay to be greeted by cheers from their families and our crew.

Speaking in a radio interview this morning, Aaron explained “It took a lot of planning and keeping it a secret from Katie. Everything slotted into place – because it was my 30^th birthday celebrations Katie was not expecting this – our inshore lifeboats were afloat training, the tide was right and the weather was perfect. Katie was looking out the window, and when she turned around, there I was down on one knee asking her to marry me, and thankfully she said yes." One challenge I had was getting Katie to sit in the right place at the table without giving the game away.

A birthday to remember. Happy birthday Aaron and congratulations to you both from all at Looe Lifeboat Station.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI volunteer Aaron Rix and his fiancée Katie Fisher with Looe RNLI’ Atlantic 85 in the background (1)
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI volunteer Aaron Rix and his fiancée Katie Fisher with Looe RNLI’ Atlantic 85 in the background (2)
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe Lifeboat volunteer crew delivering Aaron’s marriage proposal on the relief Atlantic 85 Roy Snewin
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Aaron and Katie being greeted by cheers from their families and our RNLI volunteer crews.
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith

· Looe RNLI have launched the Looe Lifeboat Appeal – Ollie Naismith II to raise £78,000 for a replacement D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/looe-lifeboat-appeal

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

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.