Five New Trainee Boat Crew Members Begin Their RNLI Journey at Sea

They join Harry Chichester, who started his boat crew training at the end of last year. Like Harry, Dom will be serving alongside his father, Tony, who has volunteered as a one of the Launch Authorities at Portishead, for nearly 14 years.

Dom Hancorn said ‘It is an amazing and exciting opportunity to be stepping up and begin my training as seagoing crew and I am looking forward to working alongside my Dad within my new role.’

Over the coming months, our new trainees will work through a comprehensive programme of training and assessments, developing the skills and competencies needed so they can operate safely and effectively at sea. Their training is designed to ensure the safety of themselves, their fellow crew mates and of course, the casualties they may one day be sent on service to rescue.

While much of their training will take place at the lifeboat station in Portishead, they will also attend specialist courses at the RNLI College and Support Centre in Poole, gaining valuable experience and knowledge from across the organisation.

Neil Sutor, Lifeboat Operations Manager said, ‘Becoming a member of a lifeboat crew requires our volunteers to be selfless, dependable, trustworthy, to be able to work as a team and to be courageous. It is challenging but also an incredibly rewarding role, and we are immensely proud to see these volunteers taking this significant next step.’

Adam Hillier said, ‘Going afloat with the RNLI is especially meaningful to me. The RNLI once saved my late father’s life at sea. The volunteers courage, professionalism and selfless dedication left a lasting impact on our family. Having the opportunity to go afloat and see first-hand the work they do is a chance to honour his memory and express my gratitude for the volunteers who put themselves at risk to help others in their time of need.’

Zoe Haysom said, ‘My grandad was born and raised in Portishead right by the sea, and he always passed down his passion and respect for the Bristol Channel. It’s a huge privilege to now step up and begin my training and to serve the community as part of the RNLI lifeboat crew.’

Liam Roberts said, ‘It is a privilege to have been selected to begin my afloat training with the RNLI. As a paramedic, I am grateful for the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge in a different and challenging environment, while learning from an experienced crew and contributing to the local community and the RNLI’s mission of saving lives at sea.’

Simon Dennis said, ‘For over two years I’ve helped launch the lifeboat on service calls and for training, now I feel so proud to be able to be a part of the boat crew and after all our training I will be able to go out and help our community when they need us most.’

Exciting times lie ahead for all six trainees. Good luck and we wish them every success as they begin their training. We are incredibly proud of them all.

Notes to editors

Images ©RNLIPortishead

· Image of the new trainee volunteer crew left to right is Zoe, Liam, Dom, Simon, Harry and Adam.

· My Lady Anne the Atlantic 85 lifeboat on which the trainees will be serving alongside their crew mates.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Helen Lazenby, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07800 595995 or email [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 143,080 lives.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Helen Lazenby, 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]

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.