Excellent volunteer achievements for RNLI Dungeness and a first for the station

First to be assessed was Graham Vicary, who was successful in completing a Launch Vehicle Driver assessment and was passed out by Machinery Trainer, Dave Tillotson. Graham is already a Head Launcher and now has two roles.

Next up was Paris Grierson who was also successful in passing her driver assessment and can now be celebrated as Dungeness lifeboat station’s first female launch vehicle driver in the station’s 198 year history.

Garrie Gray was the final volunteer for assessment and he passed out as Head Launcher.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Vicky Morgan, says:

‘We are so proud of all our volunteers today who have achieved so much after months of hard work and dedication to their training. A special thanks go to their fellow volunteers who have helped to get them to this stage.

The RNLI’s ethos of ‘One Crew’ really shows today as we celebrate these successes.

It is a great day in the station’s history as we celebrate our first female launch vehicle driver. Our station has a deep history of lady launchers and Paris is now moving this into the next chapter.’

If you are interested in volunteering for Dungeness RNLI Lifeboat Station, we have a number or roles available both afloat and shore based. Please contact the station on 01797 320317 or [email protected] if you would like to take on a new challenge and become part of the charity that saves lives at sea.

Notes to Editors

· Dungeness lifeboat station has been running since 1826.

· The station received the first Shannon-class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet – The Morrell

· The station is famous for its Lady Launchers, local women and wives of the crew who helped launch the lifeboat until 1977.

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Sarah Beck, Dungeness Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07956 615429, Hatti Mellor, Regional Media Officer on 07724801305 or [email protected] or alternatively, Regional Media Manager Julie Rainey on 07827 358256 or [email protected]. RNLI Press Office is available 24/7 365 days a year 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.

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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.