
Gareth joins the sea-going crew of Lyme Regis RNLI
A 44-year-old self-employed builder, who moved to Lyme Regis just over a year ago, has been welcomed aboard as the latest volunteer sea-going crew member of the town’s RNLI lifeboat.
Gareth Roscoe now joins the men and women who give their time all year round to go to sea aboard the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne. As a trainee crew member he now embarks on a comprehensive training programme designed to develop the skills needed to operate the charity’s lifeboat in the waters around Lyme Regis both day and night.
Gareth, his civil servant wife Claire and their 13-year-old son Rhys moved to Lyme Regis from Bristol. ‘And one of the first things I did’, said Gareth ‘was to go to the lifeboat station and ask to join the crew.’
A keen angler, Gareth takes regular fishing trips with his family aboard their 5.2m RIB (rigid inflatable boat) Orca. He said: ‘I have wanted to join the RNLI as crew for many years, but never lived near enough to a lifeboat station to answer emergency calls. I have enjoyed getting up to speed with the training needed to prepare me for my sea going role and have already attended the RNLI College in Poole for the seamanship course. As a newcomer I appreciate the help I have received from the other committed volunteers at the lifeboat station.’
The desire to become a lifeboat volunteer runs in the Roscoe family. Gareth’s son Rhys is also keen to become a crew member in due course. ‘However, he is little disappointed that the minimum age to join has now been increased from 17 to 18 years, but he just needs to be patient and wait another 5 years,’ said Gareth.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Mark Colley said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Gareth aboard for his further training as a sea-going member of our lifeboat crew. I am sure he will be a valued member of our dedicated team of volunteers.’
The Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers have answered 30 calls for help in 2024, the year in which the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Ends
Notes to editors
Phot 1. Gareth Roscoe aboard Lyme Regis RNLI, Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne.
Phot 2. Gareth ready for action.
Photo credits: RNLI
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Nick Marks, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station on 07568 187582 or [email protected], or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.