Dedicated RNLI volunteer hangs up the pager

As part of the operational team, volunteer Launch Authority (LA) Barry Scott has been an important part of station life overseeing 44 shouts over the course of an eight-and-a-half-year voluntary career with the RNLI.

Barry joined the crew at Fishguard RNLI with a wealth of both maritime and search and rescue experience having spent 16 years as a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy, followed by 25 years with HM Coastguard.

In his volunteer role he worked on a rota with other LAs to provide a 24/7 link between the lifeboat station and Coastguard at the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Milford Haven.

In the event that a lifeboat is required, the Coastguard will page the on duty LA, who will then make contact by phone. They receive a brief and will either agree, or decline the use of the charity’s assets. The only time this doesn’t occur is when there is an immediate risk to life, in which case the whole crew will be paged at the same time.

Once the LA has the details of the shout they will brief either the Coxswain of the all-weather lifeboat, or Helm of the inshore lifeboat and ensure an accurate list is maintained of which crew went to sea, and which crew responded to the page.

During the shout they will often stay at the station recording any useful information from radio transmissions. Once the lifeboats are safely back and crew ashore the LA will consult the boats officers and crew to fill in any gaps in their records, before compiling it into a report to be submitted to RNLI Headquarters in Poole.

When asked about the standout moments of volunteering with Fishguard RNLI, Barry, said:

‘The camaraderie and working with volunteers who want to achieve the best outcomes’

He also added, on the topic of something which has become somewhat of a theme at station over the last few years:

‘And of course the cake.’

On his time with the RNLI, Barry said:

‘It’s been a pleasure to work with individuals from all walks of life who are willing to drop everything at anytime, day or night to help others in difficulty in all weather conditions and still be able to maintain a sense of humour in potentially difficult situations.’

The whole team at Fishguard RNLI wish Barry all the best in his retirement and hope he enjoys some full nights sleep without being disturbed by the pager.

Fishguard RNLI are currently recruiting for more Launch Authorities to join the team, and if you live within a close distance of your local station and have an interest in volunteering your time as part of a lifesaving team, then please do get in contact with your nearest station.

Notes to editor:

· The attached image (Photo 1) shows volunteer Launch Authority Barry Scott in RNLI formal dress. (10 November 2024) Image credit: RNLI/Fishguard

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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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