Harwich RNLI go from strength to strength, but there is still a place for you
Harwich RNLI go from strength to strength, but there is still a place for you
Lifeboats News Release
The last week has seen two crew members complete important milestones in their volunteering careers. Josh Reason completed his first ‘shout’ at just 17, and Ady Pells (47) qualified as an Atlantic 85 Helm, but there is still a place for you with the charity that saves lives at sea.
After responding to his pager at 5.39pm on Thursday 30 June, Josh Reason was excited, if a little nervous to be picked for the first time as crew, aboard Harwich RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat
Albert Brown. The UK Coastguard had requested the charity’s volunteers locate and assist a yacht approximately 10 miles north east of Landguard Point, Felixstowe.
The lifeboat made good time and located the stricken yacht one hour after the crew were paged. The yacht and its three occupants were towed into Shotley Marina as this was the safest option. The lifeboat and its crew were back on station at 9.30pm, completing their 20th service of June.
RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Peter Bull was pleased to see another volunteer complete their first ‘shout’, and said:
‘It’s great to see our latest and youngest crew member following in his father’s footsteps (John Reason), who recently received the RNLI’s 30-year service medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst.
'In the past 12 months we have seen seven new crew members from all walks of life join, ranging in age 17-50, with Josh being the youngest. While Josh has been sailing all his life, no experience is needed from anyone wishing to volunteer, as full training will be given, and support to advance their role, such as with Ady Pells, after joining in 2014, has just qualified as a helm for Harwich RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, the third to do so in the last 12 months.
'If you would like to help make a real difference by saving lives with Harwich RNLI, or would like to know more, please email me at: [email protected]. No experience is needed as full comprehensive training will be given.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact:
Richard Wigley, RNLI Harwich volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07903424698 or [email protected],
Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824518641 or clare_hop[email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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 142,700 lives.