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New Shore Crew and first shouts at New Brighton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday 22 February 2026 there was cause to celebrate at New Brighton RNLI, as volunteer Ben passed out as Shore Crew, and Faye got her first shout as Tractor Driver.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Ben rings the bell to celebrate his successful pass out!

In what would turn out to be a busy day for New Brighton’s volunteer crew, Sunday started with a training exercise. It was a pleasant day, blue skies with little wind, and calm seas on the River Mersey.

A low water launch for the exercise saw Ben put through his paces on the shore. Shore Crew are responsible for the effective shoreside operations during the launch and recovery of a lifeboat. It is often the first step in training that lifeboat crew undertake. Ben excelled in all areas of his assessment, which included ropework, launch and recovery, rigging of the recovery net, as well as assessment of his theoretical knowledge, and was passed out successfully as Shore Crew for New Brighton RNLI at the conclusion of the exercise.

Not long after the conclusion of the exercise, at around 2:20pm, the pagers sounded for New Brighton’s volunteer crew and their Atlantic-85 lifeboat was launched on service. This high water launch marked a first shout for Faye, who recently passed out as a Tractor Driver for New Brighton.

Mark Dyer, Launch Authority at New Brighton RNLI, said:

‘Today was a great example of the amazing progress being made by our new crew at New Brighton RNLI. Ben has worked really hard towards his assessment as Shore Crew, and can now take the next steps on his lifeboat journey. It’s amazing to see Faye in action after so much hard work on her training too. The future is very bright for New Brighton RNLI.’

Notes to Editors:

New Brighton RNLI was established in 1863 in the bustling seaside resort of New Brighton, on the northeast corner of the Wirral peninsula. They cover the River Mersey and out into the Irish Sea.

The station is home to a B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet. The crews at New Brighton have been presented with a remarkable 48 awards for gallantry to date.

RNLI Media Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

Connor Wray

Lifeboat Press Officer/ILB Crew

New Brighton RNLI

[email protected]

07756553092

Emily Craven

Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer/ILB Crew

New Brighton RNLI

[email protected]

07986119684

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith

Regional Communications Manager

[email protected]

07977728315

Danielle Rush

Regional Communications Lead

[email protected]

+441745538995

Or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

RNLI/Connor Wray

And Faye rings it too, to celebrate her first shout!

RNLI/Connor Wray

New Brighton's Head Launcher and tractor in action on the beach

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.

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