Men and women around the coast give up their time to train for and carry out lifeboat launches A Silver Medal-winning rescue by Cteethorpes and Number was featured in the autumn 2004 issue of the Lifeboat. As with many, the Cleethorpes crew are from a variety of backgrounds. But they have one thing in common - they save lives at sea and expect little in return.Lifeboat Operations Manager Jack Barlow, chemical plant operator Jack is a former helmsman of the Cleethorpes D class and enjoys his continuing role with the station. As the LOM, he has responsibility for authorising the launch of a lifeboat and the day-to-day management of the station.

Like many lifeboat crew members, his career is not related to the sea. However, his wife Doreen has worked for the Coastguard for 18 years, and his son Gary, now a senior helmsman on the lifeboat, works on the tugboats. 'We are part of the community really,' says Jack. 'When we're at the station people often come in and ask things, anything from where the parking ticket machine is to where they can borrow a wheelchair.' The RNLI certainly runs in the Barlow family - Jack's grandson, also named Jack, is already taking a keen interest in the lifeboats at the age of 10. Jack Senior adds: 'The crew members here tend to stay part of it for a long time. That is because there is such a good team spirit, it is a really happy station.' Senior Helmsman Shaun Sonley, tugboat worker Shaun is Senior Helmsman of the D class along with Gary Barlow. He points out that while lifeboatmen and women do not want people to get into danger, they are keen to put the specialist training they have received to the test. 'People ask why we do it, with the rough seas and everything, but there is a part of you that wants to go out in rough weather,' he explains. 'We get the best training and the best equipment, so you want to put it to good use.' Lifeboat Crew Member Jamie King, beach safety officer During the summer, Jamie is employed by the council as a beach safety officer, offering advice and preventing accidents at the seaside before they happen. 'The roles go hand in hand,' he explains. 'If something happens near the shore, I'm often one of the first to know about it anyway, and my employers are very understanding.' Jamie has known Senior Helmsman Gary Barlow since he was 12, and both joined the crew as soon as they were old enough.

Jamie says: 'Gary got me into it. He used to wear a jumper at school that said "Cleethorpes Lifeboat Crew" on it! We both took our yachtmaster courses at the local college and joined when we were 17._Meet the supporters Lifeboat crews could not save lives at sea without the assistance of other dedicated volunteers Troon, on the southern Clyde Estuary, is just one of the 233 lifeboat stations at which volunteers work together to support their local lifeboat. Dedicated volunteers and supporters, like those featured below, are proud to help the lifeboat crews. Many are motivated by a desire to give something back to their local community and often find fun, friendship and a sense of achievement along the way.Volunteer Fundraiser, Troon ladies lifeboat guild - Christine Plews, doctor's receptionist With experience as a bank branch manager and a passion for the lifeboats, Christine is perfect for the role of Treasurer on the guild committee. Christine attends a monthly committee meeting and helps organise five or six major fundraising events each year. 'The volunteering does take a fair bit of time,' she acknowledges, 'but we try to make it fun, not a chore.' Christine is dedicated to supporting Troon tifeboatmen and women and her two sons both volunteered for the local lifeboat.

'The crew risk their lives and give their time to save others at sea,' she says. 'People should help others, give something back to the community.' Local fundraising and business support - Margie Moffat Local branches, guilds, businesses and trusts generously support the Lifeboats of the Clyde appeal. There have been significant donations from Mr BoydTunnockcsE (ofTunnock's biscuits) and the Moffat Charitable Trust.

Mrs Margie Moffat, who named the lifeboat Jim Moffat on 19 June 2004, said: 'My son and I are delighted to be able to name this new lifeboat after my husband. It was very important to him to support local causes ...It is rather special to have this lifeboat operating off the Ayrshire coast where our family has lived and where our family business is based.' Volunteer Sea Safety Adviser - Bill Templeton, retired Walking around Troon marina, Bill Templeton is a well-known figure. He spends a lot of time in the area, promoting SEA Checks and attending events, offering free safety advice. He has a vast amount of sea safety knowledge and experience from a long and varied career, With great enthusiasm and a wicked sense of humour, Bill knows how to put people at ease. He enjoys using his expertise to help the RNLI save lives through prevention and likes meeting so many different people.

Bill believes that volunteering as a Sea Safety adviser is a big commitment: 'You've got to put your heart into it to make it worthwhile.' Local employer support - Walter Barr Walter has his own joinery company, based in Troon. Running a small business is demanding, but Walter still finds the time to be Deputy Second Coxswain. He also employs another joiner, Roger Herron, who crews at Troon. Walter knows that having a volunteer crew member on your staff can have an impact on your business and colleagues, and comments: 'We shouldn't take local company support of lifeboat crews for granted.' When working, he checks that customers know they're lifeboatmen, just in case they have to rush off in the middle of a job for a call out. He finds most local people are sympathetic as they know about Troon lifeboat and regularly see or hear the maroons go off..