First shout for Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteer trainee lifeboat crew

Southend RNLI volunteers carried out shoreline searches around the jetties and Holehaven Creek near where the casualty was reported to have been seen while Canvey and Southend Coastguard rescue teams searched from the shore. Thankfully after an hour searching, Coastguard rescue teams found the missing person onshore. Southend lifeboat was stood down and returned to station at 12.10pm.

This was RNLI volunteer trainee crew member Paul Morris’s first shout after passing the water safety training at Poole RNLI collage in October. Paul decided to leave his job as a police officer to start his own business. Finding new spare time, Paul volunteered at Southend RNLI lifeboat station in late January this year.

Volunteer RNLI Helm Jonathan Charnock said: ‘Conditions were freshening up when leaving the station, the call had a positive outcome but could have changed significantly quickly, as such we needed a quick and swift response.

‘Paul did fantastic on his first call out. Swapping the boys in blue for yellow wellies, Paul was an integral part of our response and took on anything that got thrown at him.

‘I remember fondly even after 13 years the excitement and adrenaline that happens when getting out on the first shout. It was a pleasure to have him on board today and pleased to have shared that moment again. Well done Paul!’

Asking Paul about his training and what he would say to anyone thinking of volunteering for the charity that saves lives at sea, volunteer RNLI crew Paul Morris said: ‘The RNLI training has been brilliant! I feel that it has fully prepared me for whatever comes my way. It has given me confidence when on a shout and trust in the equipment and fellow volunteers. I feel excited and proud to be helping those who are in need.

‘I would say to anyone thinking about volunteering for the RNLI, go for it! It’s so fulfilling helping others that are most in need. Its great being part of the team. If you think you might be able to help in some way, join us and become a RNLI lifesaver’.

If you see someone in trouble by the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. That call could save lives.

There are many different roles within the lifesaving charity, lifeboat crew, shore crew, water safety, shop crew, fundraising, visits teams, press, media and more. Thinking about volunteering for the RNLI? For opportunities visit: 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
• Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Notes to Editors:

• 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/

RNLI online

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.