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Meet Lymington RNLI volunteer Declan O’Riordan ahead of Round the Island Race

Lifeboats News Release

A safe race is a good race: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has a long-standing relationship with the Island Sailing Club’s Round the Island Race, providing safety cover and assistance, and this year’s race on Saturday 15 June pays tribute to that.

Lymington Lifeboat Helm Declan O’Riordan in foreground, with their tractor aiding the stations Atlantic 85 into the water in the background

RNLI

Declan O’Riordan

The RNLI has been named the Official Race Charity for 2024, an honour that comes as the institution celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea and 146,000 lives saved from its combined lifeboats and lifeguarding services.

The charity will work closely with the Island Sailing Club to raise funds which will go to the seven stations involved in the race and specifically for the training of their volunteer crews. On race day, and every other day of the year, the crews’ lifesaving work is essential, often difficult and sometimes dangerous and with only 1 in 10 volunteers joining the RNLI from a professional maritime occupation, training is especially important.

With just six weeks to go until the starting guns sounds, we’re profiling a volunteer from each of the RNLI’s seven partnering lifeboat stations as crews prepare to provide safety cover for the event and ensure this year’s race is memorable for all the right reasons.

This week we meet volunteer Declan O’Riordan from Lymington Lifeboat Station:

Name: Declan O’Riordan

Age: 49

Day job: Clients representative on major construction projects.

Crew role: Helm and Lifeboat Training Coordinator for Lymington

Why did you join the RNLI?

I joined the RNLI primarily because of my lifelong connection to the sea. Growing up around boats, I've always had a profound respect for the water and an understanding of its challenges. This early exposure instilled in me a deep appreciation for the work of those who ensure maritime safety. After I moved to Lymington, a place renowned for its maritime heritage and active sailing community, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get involved. Joining the RNLI allowed me to give back to the community and contribute to a cause that is close to my heart.

What do you like most about volunteering for the RNLI?

What I appreciate most about volunteering for the RNLI is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Every time we head out on a shout, we know that we're there to ensure safety and potentially save lives. It's rewarding to work alongside like-minded volunteers who share a commitment to maritime safety and community service. When we get a call its usually to someone having one of their worst days at sea, if not their lives. It’s good to be there to help.

How do you feel about being the Round the Island Race charity partner and how will it impact lifeboat stations?

It's an honour to be the charity partner for the Round the Island Race. This partnership not only highlights the crucial role of the RNLI but also helps us generate essential funding and support. The increased visibility and support from the race will directly enhance our operations and capabilities at lifeboat stations, ensuring we continue to provide top-notch services.

Have you ever taken part in the race or provided safety cover as RNLI crew before?

I have been involved in providing safety cover on the Lifeboat 3 times, once as crew and twice as helm. I have sailed it once on the King of Spain’s boat, but that’s another story…

What’s your message to competitors on the day?

To all competitors, my message is to focus on safety first and foremost. One of our challenges on the day can be finding the casualty vessel calling for help in what is a wall of yachts. Whilst a description such as “a white yacht with white sails” might narrow it down a bit, a sail number, orange smoke flare, or accurate GPS position will help us get to you much quicker.

Enjoy the competition, but remember that the sea can be unpredictable. Follow all safety guidelines, respect the water, and support each other out there. Let's make this a safe and exciting race for everyone.

Good luck to all, and thank you for supporting the RNLI through your participation.

Organisers, The Island Sailing Club and the Race Team chose the RNLI as the official charity because of its involvement in safety planning for the past 93 years.

Dave Atkinson, Race Director said: ‘The Race Team, RNLI and Coastguard have worked closely together since the first Round the Island Race in 1931 to operate a safe race for all the competitors.

‘We are incredibly grateful for the safety cover and assistance that the RNLI station teams provide on race day and so we are especially pleased to announce that all the donations raised will go to the seven stations involved in the race and specifically for the training of their volunteer crews.’

Safety of all the participants is integral to the smooth running of the race. RNLI lifeboats from Cowes, Calshot, Bembridge, Mudeford, Lymington, Portsmouth and Yarmouth have been involved in the running of the event for many years and are strategically positioned around the course. For example, Bembridge RNLI will be positioned with their all-weather Tamar lifeboat on the furthest eastern side of the Isle of Wight and will provide cover for the final leg of the race, whereas Yarmouth RNLI will be positioned with their all-weather Severn class lifeboat at The Needles, the Isle of Wight’s most western point and where the sea conditions can change drastically without warning.


To donate, please visit our Just Giving Page here –

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rnli-round-the-island-race-2024


RNLI media contacts

For more information please email Izzy Coley, RNLI Media Engagement Placement – South East Region on [email protected] or telephone RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Map of the Isle of Wright with direction of the Round the Island Race and all 7 lifeboat stations that surround the Island

RNLI

RNLI crews will be positioned strategically around the Isle of Wight on race day
An atlantic 85 breaking through a wave with a yacht's sails in the distance from the Round the Island Race in 2022

RNLI/Andrew Parish

An Atlantic 85 providing water safety cover during the Round the Island Race in 2022

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.