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Wells RNLI has two new inshore lifeboat helms

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI volunteers Simon Parkes and Gary Yarham are pulling on their yellow wellies as they celebrate qualifying as helms.

Wells RNLI volunteers Simon Parkes and Gary Yarham newly passed out ILB helms. Pictured in front of D-class lifeboat ‘Peter Wilcox’

RNLI/Jess Curtis

Wells RNLI volunteers Simon Parkes and Gary Yarham newly passed out Inshore lifeboat helms

When Simon and Gary aren’t nursing or building they have been over the last few months assessed on the numerous different challenges of being in charge of a D class lifeboat.

The Wells inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than the charity's all-weather lifeboats. She comes into her own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations - often close to sandbars and among creeks, activities which demand an extremely high level of competence and experience from the volunteer crews involved.

Simon and Gary have been volunteers at Wells RNLI for the last seven years and serve as crew members on both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats.

Simon said: 'This is my seventh year as part of the Wells lifeboat crew. Both of us joined within a few months of each other. I remember walking into our old boathouse and, as a nurse, saying that I know nothing about the sea but am able to look after people. Our LOM, Chris, replied that the station can teach me all the sea-going skills we need and that is what they have done to become a D class helm.

'In addition to two weeks at the RNLI College in Poole undertaking the brilliant boat handling and command courses, there have been countless hours where our skilled and experienced helms and coxswains have taught us and passed on their knowledge. Over the last eighteen months, they have coached and supported us through all the theory and seagoing assessments. The teaching we have received has been first class. The final pass-out was nerve wracking, but we had a great crew.

'More than any of my work qualifications, becoming a helm is probably my proudest life achievement. This is because it is motivated by wanting to be a useful part of a fabulous crew here in Wells and helping ensure that our inshore lifeboat can go to the aid of anyone whenever it is needed. It is a big responsibility to ensure the safety of our crew, our lifeboat, and the casualties we are going to help.'

Gary said: 'Both myself and Simon have worked together since joining the RNLI at around the same time. As a self employed builder, I was in a similar position to Simon, and have thoroughly enjoyed learning and working with him throughout our helm training program and would like to thank those who gave us their time to complete and pass out as helms.'

The RNLI describes the duty of a helm as using “utmost endeavours to safeguard and rescue the lives of those in danger, whilst having regard for the safety of their crew”. It is an important and responsible role often involving making life or death decisions in challenging conditions and is achieved after many hours of training.

The two appointments brings the current number of helms at RNLI Wells up to six.

Notes to editor

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our charity and 97% of our frontline lifesavers are volunteers.

Our vision is to save every one. To find out more about the RNLI and make a donation, please visit RNLI.org/donate. Every penny counts.

The Wells RNLI is located at Beach Road, Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk, NR23 1DR. There is a well stocked shop in the boat house, usually open Fridays to Mondays, 10am-4pm, staffed entirely by volunteers. Some changes to these days are likely, due to staff shortages.

The current lifeboats at the station are a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat No 13-46, Duke of Edinburgh, new to the station in 2023 and a D class inshore lifeboat No. D-797 Peter Wilcox, in service since 2016.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Jess Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]

Wells RNLI volunteers Simon Parkes and Gary Yarham newly passed out ILB helms. Pictured in front of D-class lifeboat ‘Peter Wilcox’

RNLI/Jess Curtis

Wells RNLI volunteers Simon Parkes and Gary Yarham newly passed out Inshore lifeboat helms
Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat D-797 Peter Wilcox out on training exercise during sunny weather. Calm waters

RNLI/Jess Curtis

Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat D-797 Peter Wilcox out on training exercise

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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