Whitby RNLI bid farewell to volunteer Keith.

Keith joined Whitby RNLI back in 2016, starting as a volunteer crew member, but his previous experience at sea meant he quickly progressed through the training and in 2019 he passed out as a mechanic on the Trent class.

Keith then took on a second volunteer role, providing relief cover for Humber RNLI, passing out as mechanic on the Severn class lifeboat in 2022.

2024 saw a new class of lifeboat at Whitby RNLI, but Keith took more training in his stride as qualified as a mechanic on the new Shannon Class Lifeboat.

Keith, who had been working as a self-employed plumber in Whitby alongside his volunteering has now taken on a full time role for the RNLI as a Coxswain/Afloat Mechanic

The RNLI’s new role of Coxswain/Afloat Mechanic is to support all-weather lifeboat stations around the UK and Republic of Ireland with short term cover, when the station’s Coxswains or Mechanics are away on leave, or training.

Keith said: 'I am really looking forward to this new challenge and working full time for the charity. The new role means I will spend quite a lot of time in Poole in order to train and qualify as a coxswain on the different all-weather lifeboats, and I can't wait to be learning from some very experienced crew members down there.'

Station mechanic Richard Downson said: 'We will be sorry to see Keith leave the crew here at Whitby but are thrilled his hard work has been recognised with a full time position for the RNLI, nothing is too much trouble for Keith and he will be a great asset to the relief fleet.'

For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or at [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 142,700 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.