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New Quay RNLI crew members receive gallantry awards

Lifeboats News Release

Last week RNLI’s Director of Lifesaving Operations, John Payne, awarded six New Quay RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew members with a Chairman’s Letter of Thanks, an RNLI gallantry award recognising one-off instances of bravery, courage and endeavour.

In November 2021, during Storm Arwen, the crew launched to answer a Mayday call from an ocean-going rowing boat in difficulty. One of the rowers had already been evacuated by a Coastguard rescue helicopter after suffering a head injury but the remaining crew found themselves semi-submerged in rough seas.

New Quay RNLI’s Coxswain Daniel Potter, full-time mechanic Bernie Davies, navigator Simon Rigby and crew members on the day Rees-Tom Jones, Dylan Price and Huw Williams all received the accolade for their seamanship, resilience, determination and courage in rescuing the three rowers.

New Quay RNLI’s Coxswain Daniel Potter said, “This was a very challenging rescue, and it’s one that I will always remember. I’m very proud of our crew who showed great determination and courage in saving the three ocean rowers.

“I’m not ashamed to say, there were tears on the lifeboat that day. The look on their faces when we reached them will stay with me for a very long time.”

Roger Couch, New Quay RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager said, “We are so proud of all the crew, boat and shore crew and those behind the scenes, all volunteers who give up their time to train and save lives at sea.

“The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea with 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, and this summer we received our new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, the Roy Barker V. Donations for New Quay Lifeboat Station and our Shannon appeal to help with training are welcome here: https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/new-quay-appeal."


RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Kate Williams, New Quay Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786 550054 or [email protected]. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07771 941390 or email [email protected].


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.

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