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Wells RNLI’s highly skilled crew member Ray West crafts Oak step

Lifeboats News Release

Ray West has been a valued volunteer crew member at Wells-next-the-sea station for 17 years, he recently hand crafted a solid Oak step for RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent to board and disembark the station Shannon-class lifeboat 13-46 RNLB Duke of Edinburgh.

RNLI/Ray West

Oak Step crafted by Wells RNLI Ray West for HRH The Duke of Kent with Shannon lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh
HRH The Duke of Kent used the step during the dedication and naming ceremony for the new lifeboat station, its Shannon class lifeboat and its SLARS launch and recovery rig.

The step has been gifted to HRH The Duke of Kent from Ray and Wells RNLI. It will be used when HRH visits other RNLI stations in the future.

Ray said: ‘I feel very proud to be a member of a great team helping people in difficulties at and by the sea. They are a great bunch of lads and lassies, Wells lifeboat is like a family. We all help each other out when needed and are very proud to be an important part of the Wells community.’

Within the station Ray has many roles these include SLARs and softrak driver, head launcher, softrak mechanic and Deputy Launching Authority. Not only does he hold many skilled positions, Ray also takes lots of photographs of service launches and makes all the station's service boards and retirement plaques. He is held in high esteem by all the volunteers at the station.

Notes to editors

Visit us at the station for our Carnival Special Open Day Wednesday 2 August, 10:00 am to 08:00 pm. View our Shannon class lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh and meet our wonderful volunteers. No booking required.

Join the team: we are looking for volunteers to help in the shop, volunteers to join our visitor experience team showing people round the station, help with fund-raising. Contact Jessica Curtis [email protected] or visit the station for more information.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Jessica Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07860200790 or [email protected]


RNLI/Ray West

Wells RNLIs Ray West with Oak step he hand crafted for HRH The Duke of Kent

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.

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