Abersoch RNLI Station News
Abersoch RNLI say ‘farewell and thank you’ to volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Wyn Jones who retires after many years dedicated service.
Wyn has been a long-standing member of the team at Abersoch RNLI since the summer of 1984 when he popped down to the lifeboat station after hearing they were on the look out for new crew members. After the customary period of sweeping the floor and washing the boat down he enrolled as a volunteer crew member. He went on to become helm of the Atlantic 21 lifeboat after completing his training in Cowes, until he turned the ripe old age of 45 which at the time was the retirement age. Wyn rejoined the station in 2008 as Launch Authority and he was appointed as Lifeboat Operations Manager in February 2022.
Wyn is one of the few RNLI volunteers who can say they have travelled up The Mall in London in an Atlantic 21 lifeboat having been selected to take part in the celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and he also had the honour of attending the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace the following day.
Commenting on his time with Abersoch RNLI Wyn said, ‘I found helping people out to be very rewarding’. He added, ‘In my role as Lifeboat Operations Manager it has been an honour to work with such a fantastic team at Abersoch Lifeboat Station.’
Wyn has handed over the reins to Martin Turtle who has been volunteering with Abersoch RNLI since May 2008 when he was invited to get involved at the station as a Launch Authority. Wyn and Martin completed their Lifeboat Operations Manager training together at the RNLI College in Poole.
Martin said, ‘We have a fantastic crew here in Abersoch who always work well together. Wyn will be very much missed by us all and we thank him for his outstanding contribution over many years’.
In addition, Chas Myers has recently returned to the station as Launch Authority. Chas was invited to be volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer in 2000, and he quickly realised that he wanted to volunteer as a crew member. He completed his training in 2001 and remained an active member of the team for nine years before retiring in 2010. Chas said, ‘I’m delighted to be able to return to the station as one of the Launch Authority team and I look forward to being part of such a hard-working professional team.’
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.
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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.