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Newquay RNLI volunteer graduates as qualified paramedic

Lifeboats News Release

Newquay lifeboat crew have sent congratulations to one of their volunteer RNLI helms, Mike 'Sharkbait' Martin, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Science from the University of Plymouth on Friday (24 September).

Mike in his graduation cap and gown at Plymouth Hoe, with his dad and fellow Newquay RNLI volunteer, Wayne Martin.

Matthew Rodliffe

Newquay RNLI helm, Mike Martin at Plymouth Hoe with his dad and RNLI deputy launching authority, Wayne Martin.
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'Sharky' as he's known to his colleagues, joined the lifeboat crew on his 17th birthday in 2007 and has been a helm and retained mechanic at Newquay RNLI for around the last decade.


After attending Treviglas Community College in Newquay, followed by 13-years working as a commercial & industrial refrigeration engineer across Cornwall and Devon, Mike started his degree in Plymouth three years ago. He has been working as a bank emergency care assistant for South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) across Cornwall since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic while completing his course and is due to start working full-time as a paramedic locally from November.

Mike, who opted to join the University of Plymouth so that he could commute and maintain his RNLI roles in Newquay throughout his studies said:

'I was motivated to study paramedic science after being involved with casualty care on the lifeboats. It's been extremely hard work, but so worthwhile. My RNLI colleagues, quite a few of them ambulance service personnel themselves, and my SWAST mentors & colleagues, have been a huge help during my training. Thank you to all of them and our RNLI supporters, their encouragement and support means a lot'.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Andy Hobkinson, Newquay RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected] or 07880 507464 or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer at emma[email protected] or 07786 668847 or contact the RNLI Press Office (24hrs) on 01202 336789.


Mike kitted up in protective gear in his role as helm at Newquay RNLI, wearing helmet, drysuit and lifejacket.

RNLI/Kev Goulding

Mike kitted up in protective gear in his role as helm at Newquay RNLI
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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.

About the author

Andy Hobkinson
Lifeboat Press Officer, Newquay Lifeboat Station

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