RNLI crews making waves this Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) highlights some of their favourite love stories from the past year.
In the last 12 months, the RNLI has proven itself to be quite the matchmaker. Their most recent update comes from RNLI Rhyl, in Wales, where crew member Haydn married his partner, Josie. Hadyn has been with Rhyl for over two years, and married in December 2025. The couple braved the cold and wet at Tyn Dŵr Hall, Llangollen, with their fellow crew leading the guard of honour. The all-important RNLI guard of honour means that they walked under raised oars as they as they exited the venue, flanked by RNLI crew.
Also at Rhyl, volunteer Craig Kelly married his partner, Alfie, in September 2025. Training to be both a head launcher at the RNLI, and to be a train driver in his personal life, Craig is an invaluable member of the team. Married at Gwydyr Hotel in Betws y Coed, they were surrounded by loved ones.
September proved to be the perfect month for weddings; West Kirby crew members Eils and Peter received the RNLI guard of honour on their special day. Surrounded by their RNLI crew, they passed under the oars as they left the Church. Fittingly, they were sure to get snapshots of them in the famous yellow RNLI wellies, and were joined by their beloved dog, Daisy, to begin the celebrations.
On the Isle of Wight, a couple coordinated their wedding day to share the numbers of the groom’s favourite lifeboat. Yarmouth’s Severn class 17-25 all-weather lifeboat saw Richard and Hebe Gregory-Pimm tie the knot on 1 July 2025. Despite both working for the organisation, Richard and Hebe, Senior Station Technician and Regional Business Support Coordinator respectively, met on their school bus. The celebrations continued when the volunteer crew brought the lifeboat to meet the newlyweds.
Hebe said: ‘After 11 years engaged, we had such a wonderful wedding day that was made even more special getting to share it with our second family, our RNLI crew, some of which have known Richard since he was a child!
‘It’s no secret that Richard dedicates so much of his time to the Yarmouth Lifeboat, so it just made sense to make her a big part of our day. Plus, her numbers on the side are now more than just her boat measurements and build number, they’re a date we will remember forever.
‘I also needed something blue, and the lifejacket worked out perfectly for just that – I know there’s no such thing as something yellow, but the wellies just had to be worn! It’s almost becoming a RNLI wedding tradition that the wellies make an appearance, and I didn’t want to miss out on the perfect photo [opportunity].’
Notes to editors
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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 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 146,000 lives.
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.