Third generation RNLI volunteer becomes Atlantic 85 Lifeboat Helm
Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteer Tyler Bonham passed his Atlantic 85 Helm assessment Tuesday 25 November to become the newest B class inshore lifeboat helm at Southend lifeboat station. Three generations of Tyler’s family currently volunteer for the lifesaving charity.
Tyler, keen and enthusiastic from a toddler was always going to be a volunteer at Southend RNLI following in his father Tony’s footsteps. As a young lad he was welcomed into the crew, just like his six-year-old son Noah is now. In 2013 on his 17th birthday Tyler officially volunteered for the charity. Over the last 12 years successfully working his way up to become a hovercraft pilot and Atlantic 85 Lifeboat Helm at Southend RNLI lifeboat station.
In his daytime job Tyler is the captain of a high-speed passenger craft on the River Thames in London, becoming a helm on the RNLI lifeboat within the Thames Estuary was a natural move and starts another new chapter in his life. He’s not stopping there though; Tyler will be looking forward towards RNLI hovercraft commander like his father.
Tyler Bonham volunteer A85 Helm said: ‘The RNLI has been a big part of my life from as far back as I can remember. It’s a very proud moment passing the Atlantic 85 helm assessment, all the hard work and training over the years paid off. A massive thanks to my family and all the volunteers at Southend RNLI for the support that has been given throughout my years with the RNLI’.
As Helm Tylers primary duty is the safety of the crew and the lifeboat, helms are also responsible for everything that happens during a rescue, from the launch to the recovery of the lifeboat. They must make critical on-the-spot decisions in often challenging and rapidly changing situations. The helm is in overall command of the RNLI inshore lifeboat and its volunteer crew.
Tylers grandfather on his mother’s side David Brown is currently a volunteer Launching Authority at Sheerness RNLI while Tylers father Tony Bonham is volunteer Hovercraft Commander at Southend RNLI. Noah, Tylers son is heading towards being fourth generation RNLI volunteer, third generation at Southend-on-Sea where he is already welcomed and getting on well with the volunteers.
Find RNLI volunteering opportunities here: https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities
For further information please contact:
- Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
- Jess Curtis| RNLI Regional Communications Manager [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Notes to Editors:
- Interviews can be arranged. Contact: [email protected]
- Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
- Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
- For more information, please visit: http://www.southendlifeboat.org/
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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 RNLI News Centre.
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 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.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.