Dart RNLI appoints new Lifeboat Operations Manager
Dart RNLI appoints new Lifeboat Operations Manager
Lifeboats News Release
A record-breaking Atlantic rower has been appointed as the new Lifeboat Operations Manager for Dart RNLI. Iain 'Yorkie' Lomas will replace the previous LOM, Michael Bryant-Mole, who retired in October after two years at the station's helm.
RNLI/Dom Hart
Iain 'Yorkie' Lomas, Dart's new LOM, signs the RNLI 200-year anniversary scroll
Yorkie joined Dart RNLI as a volunteer at the first opportunity when the station reopened in 2007 and has held many roles, including crew member of both boats and D-class helm.
The all-action builder is delighted to take over the lead role at Dart at such an exciting time, with building work underway on a new HQ next to the Higher Ferry slipway and due to be completed next year.
As well as being part of the first four-man team to row the Atlantic in 2004 - setting a then-benchmark record of 36 days, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, among many other challenges Yorkie has run a 250km extreme marathon in the Kalahari Desert, taken part in the Paris Marathon before running to London and tackling the London Marathon, and braving the Yukon 1000 Canoe and Kayak Race in Canada.
Hebden Bridge-born Yorkie, who first moved to Dartmouth when drafted by the Marines in 1990, said: 'It's a great honour to take over as Lifeboat Operations Manager and work with such a dedicated team of volunteers.
'Michael did a fantastic job as LOM, and my target is to carry on the good work, hopefully oversee a smooth transition to the new station, and if we can make minor improvements along the way, all the better.
'Dart RNLI is such a huge part of the town, and upwards of 40 volunteers are giving up their time as crew, shore crew, fundraising and all the other roles required to help save lives at sea.'
Highlights for Yorkie during his 17 years at Dart have been helping save a whale caught in crab pots just off Blackpool Sands, rescuing six children who were swept out to sea trying to get home from a party in a stolen dinghy, and getting to a kayaker in the nick of time after he was washed into the sea and 'was about to go under'.
Yorkie, also chairman and head coach at Dartmouth Amateur Rowing Club, lives in the town with his children, aged 18 and 14. He added: 'I have been a rower since 1996, and have always known if something were to happen, we would have been okay because of the RNLI volunteers.
'Being part of Dart has been my opportunity to put something back and offer support. We are all part of the team, all play a part, and what a privilege it is.'
RNLI Media Contacts For more information, contact Dart Lifeboat Press Officer, Dominic Hart on
[email protected] or 07767 764 144. Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Press Office on
[email protected] or 01202336789.
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.