Three Generations, One Lifesaving Family
This Father's Day, Portsmouth RNLI is celebrating the remarkable story of one family whose connection to the charity spans three generations and almost two decades of service.
Volunteer crew member Justin Strain joined Portsmouth RNLI's lifeboat crew in September 2006. Alongside his role at the station, he works as an NHS Clinical Manager and brings valuable experience from a career in the Royal Navy.
Family life and RNLI service have grown side by side for Justin and his wife, Emma. Their first child, Rob, was born in 2008, followed by daughter Lauren in 2016. Rob's connection with the RNLI began almost from birth - they first visited the lifeboat station when they were only a few weeks old. Since then, the station, its volunteers and its mission have become woven into the fabric of family life.
The family's RNLI story grew even stronger in 2011 when Justin's father, John, became Portsmouth RNLI's Lifeboat Chaplain following the retirement of the local vicar who had previously held the role. John is a retired Anglican vicar and former Royal Naval Officer. As Lifeboat Chaplain, he provides pastoral support to crew members and their families, helping them through both challenging and celebratory moments. He is also well known at the station for delivering a much-loved and often delightfully chaotic Christmas pantomime every December.
Now, the next chapter is about to begin.
Rob turns eighteen in August and is preparing to follow in their father's footsteps by joining the lifeboat crew in September. Having grown up around the station, they are eager to begin their own volunteering journey and contribute to saving lives at sea.
Justin said:
‘The RNLI has always been a huge part of our family life. Rob has grown up around the station, the boats and the crew, so seeing them prepare to join as a volunteer themself is incredibly special. Father's Day feels like the perfect time to reflect on what the RNLI has meant to our family over the years.’
As families across the country celebrate Father's Day, Portsmouth RNLI is proud to recognise volunteers like Justin, John and soon Rob, whose commitment demonstrates how the RNLI's values and traditions can inspire generations to serve their community.
Portsmouth RNLI wishes all fathers, grandfathers, father figures and RNLI volunteers a happy Father's Day.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Abi Hinton, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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.