Pwllheli RNLI appoints first ever female launch vehicle driver
It was a historic moment for Pwllheli RNLI as the 133-year-old lifeboat station appointed its first ever female volunteer launch vehicle driver since it was founded.
Lindsay Rees has become Pwllheli RNLI’s first ever female launch vehicle driver. The drivers are part of the lifeboat station’s shore crew, who’s roles are vital in saving lives at sea; without them, no lifeboat could be launched or recovered.
Lindsay Rees joined Pwllheli RNLI in 2022 as a member of the shore crew and has now progressed to launch vehicle driver. She said:
“I was brought up to respect the work that the RNLI does and volunteering for the RNLI is something I‘ve always wanted to do. I’m proud to be giving something back to my community and making my kids proud of their Mam. I’ve enjoyed the training the RNLI has given me and look forward to continuing training for the SLARS*, which is the large, tracked vehicle for launching and recovering the Shannon all-weather lifeboat.”
The launch vehicle driver role includes taking charge of the launch vehicle during the launch and recovery of the lifeboat for both services and exercises under the direction of the head launcher or helm. Lindsay has initially passed her assessment to launch Pwllheli RNLI’s D-Class inshore lifeboat, driving the Tooltrack tracked vehicle.
Notes to editors
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Pwllheli lifeboat station has been operating since 1891. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/pwllheli-lifeboat-station.
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*SLARS (Shannon Launch and Recovery System).
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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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On 4 March 2024 (RNLI’s 200th anniversary) and throughout the year, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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