
Generations of Yarmouth RNLI lifesavers on call this Christmas
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters.
Christmas is a time for family and, for many, a time for sharing stories of times and generations past. For the Pimm family from Yarmouth, these stories often involve saving lives at sea.
Yarmouth RNLI has meant a great deal to the Pimm family since 1971 when father, Stuart Pimm joined the crew when Yarmouth Station had an inshore D - class lifeboat, as well as an All-weather lifeboat. Grandfather Maurice Pimm, followed in his son’s footsteps and joined as volunteer crew in 1977 until 1982. Maurice loved being on crew so much, he actually lied about his age to stay on board for longer than he should have done.
Stuart was on the Yarmouth crew for 35 years, and in that time earned quite the array of awards including several commendations, a Vellum, a service award and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal. During his 35 years, Stuart helped crew an incredible four boats in service including a D - class, a 48ft Oakley prototype lifeboat, an Arun and finally the mighty Severn. Over the years, Stuart went from strength to strength working up from volunteer shore crew, all the way to Second Coxswain and Second Mechanic for the Severn class Lifeboat, 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock, Wanderer, which is still Yarmouth’s current lifeboat.
During his time as crew, Stuart and wife Elaine welcomed two boys into the family, both of whom were christened on the Arun class Lifeboat, 52-08 Joy and John Wade, in 1990 and 1996. But the boys’ time on the RNLI lifeboats didn’t stop there. Having heard the stories from both their father and grandfather, and most certainly being used to the crew pager sounding at all hours of the day, it was when Richard turned 17 in 2007, that he would finally don his own pair of yellow wellies and joined the Yarmouth RNLI volunteer crew, and it was then in 2014 that Richard became Yarmouth RNLI’s full time mechanic, a career he longed to pursue from such an early age. When appointed this role, Richard was at the time, one of the RNLI’s youngest mechanics at the age of 24.
Alex wasn't far behind, joining the Pimm dynasty at the age of 17 in 2013. Alex is currently a deputy Lifeboat Mechanic for Richard, and is now working his way towards being passed out as a deputy Coxswain.
You’ll find that there aren’t many shouts these days, where a Pimm isn’t present.
Stuart said:
‘I am immensely proud of my sons. Watching them both grow to be the men they are today and continuing what I initially started for the Pimms all those years ago. It was an absolute privilege to volunteer for the RNLI, and it’s been quite the experience watching the growth of the charity, and seeing all the changes that have been made to the kits and the boats. All of which couldn’t be possible without the generosity of the general public. I extend my gratitude to those who have donated to the RNLI back when I was on crew, and those who are donating today. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to help those in need at sea.”
If you thought that with Alex joining the crew, that would be where the link to the RNLI with this family ended. Well, you’d be mistaken, as in April 2023, Richard’s partner of 10 years joined the RNLI and is currently writing this article. Pleased to meet you, my name is Hebe Gregory and I am Yarmouth Station’s newly appointed Lifeboat Press Officer. It’s been a real honour to continue this generation of lifeboat crew and volunteers, and support them and the charity within this new role. We are all so proud of one another, of our crew on and off shore and to all the volunteers past and present at Yarmouth RNLI and at Christmas, the unity and the ability to work together as one crew is even more present.
We share many stories and memories together, and it was Alex Pimm, the youngest of the Pimm family who said:
‘There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe to their families – especially at Christmas. But as volunteer lifeboat crew we couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public which fund the kit, training and equipment we need to save others and get home safely to our own families.’
The Pimm family isn’t the only family at Yarmouth Lifeboat Station, in fact having generations of volunteers working on and off shore is a regular occurrence! We have had families of the name Campbell, Coates-Evans, Cooke, Cotton, Harwood, Lemonius, Lester, Preece, Robinson, Tribe and Wilcock who all volunteer, or volunteered their time on, and for our lifeboat to help continue to save lives at sea.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
Notes to editors
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*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 – 31 December inclusive
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Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
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Photos attached to the release are of Stuart, Richard and Alex Pimm over the years.
RNLI media contacts
● Hebe Gregory, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]
● Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 144,700 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, Twitter 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.