
Roger says over and out at Largs RNLI
Largs RNLI bids farewell to volunteer crew member and Launch Authority, Roger Coulthard.
On Sunday 1 September 2024 Roger retired from the RNLI after an amazing 24 years’ service for the lifesaving charity.
Roger started his volunteering journey at Largs Lifeboat Station in August 2000, when he joined a scheduled training exercise to see if being a volunteer at the lifeboat station was something he would enjoy.
During this training session he took part in an acquaintance trip onboard the station’s Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat, Peggy Keith Learmond, and talked to the volunteer crew and station management.
Following this session Roger thought he ‘would give it a go’.
Roger, as with all volunteer crew, started out as a trainee crew member and quickly progressed achieving competent crew status. He also passed out as one of the station’s launch vehicle drivers and became a confident casualty carer.
After 10 years as a volunteer member of the boat crew, Roger moved into a shore-based role, as one of the stations volunteer Launch Authorities.
However, he quickly realised how much he missed being on the lifeboat and returned to his boat crew role while maintaining his other shore-based roles and responsibilities.
During his 24 years at the station, Roger has launched on service countless times and has played an integral role during several serious call outs.
Roger’s commitment to the RNLI came alongside a career as an IT professional and raising his family. This commitment was recognised in 2020 when Roger was presented with a 20 year Long Service Medal.
John Griffiths, Largs RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘On behalf of all the volunteers at Largs Lifeboat Station, I would like to say a huge thank you to Roger for his many years of hard work and dedication to the RNLI. This thanks is also extended to Roger’s family and friends who have supported him during his dedicated service at Largs RNLI.
'We couldn’t save lives at sea without the incredible commitment of volunteers like Roger. We wish him well for everything the future holds.’
Notes to editors
RNLI media contacts
Claire McRae, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07738681546, [email protected]
Brian Rankin, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810862468, [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 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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