New coxswain for Fowey RNLI lifeboat crew
On Wednesday 8 September Lewis Bingley passed out as a fully trained coxswain at Fowey RNLI lifeboat station. Having spent 12 years as a member of the volunteer crew in Fowey, Lewis now becomes the first new coxswain at the station in over five years.
Lewis’s coxswain training was delayed because of the Covid pandemic, so it has been 18 months since he started the process. Lewis says: ‘I was invited to join Fowey RNLI over 12 years ago, and as I work in the off-shore industry, I wanted to put something back into the maritime community. I originally joined as a crew member on the inshore D class lifeboat and then followed the RNLI training process, progressing to navigator and now coxswain on the all-weather Trent Class lifeboat.’
Training as an RNLI coxswain is a tough process involving many different training scenarios which mimic real life incidents that lifeboat crews have to face. Important aspects of the training are learning how to prioritise in often life-threatening situations and learning how to manage the crew and deal with casualties in difficult rescue situations.
Jonathan Pritchard, Coxswain at Fowey RNLI said: ‘I am delighted that all Lewis’s hard work and dedication has resulted in him passing out as coxswain for Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat. Lewis now joins a team of four volunteer coxswains who give their time to ensure that the Fowey lifeboats can be called out to help save lives at sea 24/7. All the crew congratulate Lewis on his achievement.’
Lewis, who is married with 2 children and lives in Fowey, is a ship’s master for Seacat Services Ltd. Lewis says: ‘I really enjoy the search and rescue side of being on the lifeboat crew, as I don’t do much of that in my day job. This was a rigorous training process and I’m pleased and proud to be Fowey RNLI’s newest coxswain.
If you would like to donate to the Fowey RNLI lifeboat charity, you can do so on the fundraising page at
https://bit.ly/395wPpb
Photo credits: Cathy Baillie
Photo caption: New Fowey RNLI Coxswain, Lewis Bingley
Notes to editors
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Fowey lifeboat station has been operating for nearly 150 years. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to:
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/fowey-lifeboat-station -
A photo of Fowey’s lifeboat can be viewed at: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/fowey-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Cathy Baillie, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07787 709986 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Press Officer [email protected] and 07786 668847 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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 over 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 142,200 lives.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.