A proud moment for St Bees RNLI

Sunday 22 May 2022

Tuesday 10 May, 2022 was a proud moment for all volunteer crew at St Bees RNLI as Tom Evans, a newly appointed lifeboat crew member experienced his first launch on a training exercise. The night was made even more special as Tom’s father, Launch Authority Chris Evans oversaw the night’s training.

Photo of boat crew volunteer Tom with his father, Launch authority Chris — Boat crew volunteer Tom with his father, Launch authority Chris

This will mark the first step in Tom’s development as a volunteer lifeboat crew as he completes the required training, and learns the necessary skills to become a competent crew member. These skills will enable him to support the RNLI’s 24 hour rescue service and to assist his fellow volunteer crew to save lives at sea.

Tom is one of a number of new volunteers that have recently joined St Bees RNLI lifeboat station in both lifeboat crew and as equally important shore crew roles. The shore based volunteers help ensure that the lifeboat is prepared and ready for services as well as maintaining the equipment required to launch.

In the following week, volunteer Nathan Lord also made the progression from shore crew to boat crew after being recognised for his commitment to his training and for successfully completing his shore competency plan.

Dick Beddows, Lifeboat Operations Manager for St Bees RNLI Lifeboat, says: ‘We are very proud to see two of our volunteers take on their new roles as boat crew. Both volunteers have stood out in their commitment to the station and have been given the opportunity to join the boat crew in recognition of this. Everyone at the station wishes the two of them luck in their new roles.’

Notes to editors

● St Bees lifeboat station has been operating since 1970. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to http://www.rnli.org.uk/StBees

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Colin Wadey, St Bees RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07742207222 [email protected] email deputy lifeboat Press Officer Joe Raymond [email protected] or Eleri Roberts, Regional Media Officer on 07771941390 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Boat crew volunteer standing in front of Atlantic class inshore lifeboat. — Newly appointed boat crew volunteer, Nathan.

Atlantic class lifeboat launching — St Bees Lifeboat launching on exercise

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.

A proud moment for St Bees RNLI

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