
New Chairman appointed to Torbay RNLI’s Lifeboat Management Group
Ian ‘Barney’ Barnaby, volunteer crew member of Torbay RNLI, and recently BEM (British Empire Medal), has just accepted an invitation to chair Torbay RNLI’s LMG (Lifeboat Management Group).
Nick O’Brien, Torbay RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘I’m really pleased and looking forward to working with Ian as we head into the challenges and anticipated changes of the next few years. He won’t admit it, but he’s quite the diplomat and natural statesman, which will help us all. His managerial skills and experience across the RNLI over many years also means he is well qualified for this important role.’
Starting as one of the first helms when the RNLI established a lifeboat service on the river Thames in 2002, Barney moved to Devon in 2013 and went on to join the volunteer crew at Torbay RNLI in 2014.
Barney is a volunteer crew and navigator for Torbay RNLI and to date, he has attended 471 shouts, aided 234 people and saved 14 lives, but it is his contribution to the wider RNLI and Brixham community where he has left the greatest mark.
Barney was the driving force behind the Kilimanjaro Challenge, a series of six challenges between May 22 and February 23, which raised £105,000 for the local station. Engaging with the local community and businesses, Barney led the project as well as the climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Replying to Nick O'Brien's comment, Barney said: 'I'm also delighted and excited to be taking on the role of LMG Chair. It will extend my involvement within the Torbay RNLI family beyond my crew retirement next year. I'm sure there will be many challenges ahead, however, with an excellent team within the LMG, I'm confident that the Station will go from strength to strength in the years ahead.'
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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