Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI says farewell to long serving crew member
Rod Wells hung up his life jacket for the final time on Wednesday 1 October after more than 27 years of voluntary service as lifeboat crew.
Rod had been involved with services where 31 lives were directly saved between July 1998 until his retirement.
In total Rod launched on service 472 times assisting 627 people.
During his voluntary career at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Rod worked under four different Coxswains.
His roles included inshore lifeboat crew, navigator and helmsman, all-weather lifeboat crew, navigator, mechanic, deputy 2nd Coxswain, lifeboat trainer assessor and senior station technician.
Former Coxswain David Mason, says: ‘Rod was very dedicated to the Job, I spent a lot of hours on a particular couple of jobs with him, he was very knowledgeable in his paramedic work and will be sadly missed, I wish him all the very best in his future career.’
Former Coxswain Paddy Lee, says: ‘I have known Rod for over 30 years and we have been lifeboat colleagues for most of these years, his dedication and paramedic skills have helped save countless lives around the Norfolk coast, I wish Rod a well-deserved rest and best wishes for the future.’
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI's Lifeboat Operations Manager, Capt. Lindsey Wigmore, says: ‘Rod has been a valued part of the crew for 30 years. Recently as inshore lifeboat helm, all-weather lifeboat coxswain and mechanic, and lastly as the senior station technician.
'His expertise and commitment have been invaluable to the smooth running of our successful station, and his skill as a paramedic has featured in many rescues. Many present crew owe Rod a debt of gratitude for his help during their overall training.
'I wish Rod all the best for the future and hope he knows he is always welcome at the station.’
Current Coxswain Andy Mason, says: ‘On behalf of all the crew at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat I would like to say a big thank you to Rod for his service to the station. Rod has been a key and reliable crew member, station mechanic and second coxswain and will be sadly missed.
'I have known Rod for all of my RNLI career and he is a true hero with his work in the RNLI, Air Ambulance Service and the NHS. We all wish him the very best for the future.
'From all your crew mates past and present, the Guild, shop volunteers and the lifeboat management team, happy retirement and we thank you for your impeccable service and your contribution to saving lives at sea.'
RNLI Picture captions
The pictures show Rod Wells at the RNLI Support Centre in Poole and onboard legacy lifeboat George and Frances Phelon - the RNLI's first Legacy Lifeboat.
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For further information, please contact:
Ben Penning Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI via email [email protected]
Richard Grange Regional Communications Lead via email [email protected]
Clare Hopps Regional Communications Manager via email [email protected]
RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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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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