Torbay RNLI announces new Coxswain will be Richard Fowler.

The position demands considerably more involvement than people might realise. First and foremost, the role requires the vitally important responsibility of commanding the station’s shouts on the water, helming our Severn Class all-weather lifeboat, as well as off the water overseeing the success of those shouts when not directly attending. It additionally includes the welfare and training of the crew, the management of the station, supporting our other volunteers and continuing the station’s great inter-relationship with our amazing local community.

Richard has spent the last year as acting First Coxswain, essentially a ‘leader-amongst-equals’ since our crew includes six other qualified coxswains. This should facilitate a relatively easier transition into the full-time role.

Richard joined Torbay Lifeboat in 1994. After 10 years of service, he became a qualified RNLI Coxswain and since that time has frequently taken Torbay’s All-weather Lifeboat to sea. His two sons Adam and Ben have followed their father and currently serve as volunteers on the Torbay Lifeboat.

Richard’s dedication, skill and ability make him a natural leader, whilst his calm unflappable leadership style has always engendered a professional and highly effective Crew.

Richard has a disarming sense of humour and an affable sense of fun, which often takes many of us by surprise. He has done much to support the station over the years including being part of Torbay RNLI’s 2023 ascent of Kilimanjaro where his outlook on that climb did much to keep spirits high, helping the station to raise over £100,000.

Since 1979 Richard has lived and worked in Brixham. He owns the 10 meter B34 Rebecca but since 2016 pulled back from taking her to sea full time. Before his appointment as Torbay’s full-time Coxswain, he was spending his working days mending nets, making foot ropes and splicing wire.

Richard’s RNLI, maritime and fishing experience, wealth of knowledge and opinions are often sought both within the RNLI and beyond, as was recently evidenced in an article published in the Sunday Times on changing marine fishing and culinary trends! Back in 2021 he was named Demersal fisherman of the year. And in 2024 Richard was awarded the RNLI’s ‘Excellence in Volunteering’.

Nick O’Brien says: “It gives me great pleasure to announce this appointment as full-time Coxswain. It reflects Richard’s considerable talents as well as his dedication and the service already provided voluntarily to Torbay RNLI. He accepted. We are fortunate. And together we look forward to another chapter in our station’s illustrious story.”

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Niall Blatcher, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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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