
Port Talbot RNLI sees two firsts on one shout
Two members of Port Talbot RNLI’s volunteer crew attended their first shout this week, sharing a handshake that bridges the generations.
Port Talbot RNLI’s newest volunteer shore crew member Marshall Dunnion and Deputy Launch Authority Stephen Summerfield attended their first shout as shore crew and first shout as a launch authority together this week. HM Coastguard tasked Port Talbot RNLI at 9.13pm on 17 May to assist the Police in a search for a missing child.
While Marshall and Stephen may be generations apart, their handshake seals the common bond of all RNLI volunteers, committed to spending many hours training to be ready for any eventuality that they may be tasked to, when saving lives at sea, 24/7, in all weather conditions.
Marshall will now start his shore crew training plan, including over 26 individual training units, before he can consider becoming boat crew. Stephen has already completed his 20 Launch Authority training units as well as 26 shore crew units, and is now close to completing his 28 Launch Vehicle Driver units.
Marshall and Stephen may be at different stages of their volunteering journey, but both have in common their willingness to commit to hours of training and to dropping everything at a moment’s notice when the pager sounds, truly showing they are One Crew.
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.
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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.