Meet some of the people who are getting our new lifesaving services off the ground

Portishead lifeboat has been running as an independent rescue service since The Portishead Lifeboat Trust was founded in the 1970s. It has been operating out of a shed-like boathouse, which has been a tight squeeze for the lifeboat and crew. Over the years the volunteers have developed a good relationship with local RNLI lifeboat crews.

Helen Lazenby, Deputy Press Officer and Fundraiser
‘The adoption by the RNLI is a great positive for us in Portishead. To be at the point that the building is underway … frankly we are all pinching ourselves that it’s finally happening. To have the facilities that the RNLI is going to give us will be fantastic: for example changing rooms, a training room and, best of all, a toilet!

‘I joined the station in 2004 when my husband Ian joined as trainee crew. My role has involved reporting newsworthy fundraising stories to the press and actual fundraising. Having the RNLI flag flying above the station will mean we should be able to generate more publicity, which will be great for our fundraising. We always need volunteers – many hands make light work as they say. With the additional RNLI branches supporting us we can actually do even more fundraising and that is great.’

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Lough Ree inshore lifeboat crew have recently started operating an Atlantic 85 lifeboat as part of their trial period – it’s larger and faster than their first lifeboat, an Atlantic 75.

Damien Delaney, Lifeboat Operations Manager
‘We started training in March 2012 and we had our first shout on 28 June that year while we were out training. The Coast Guard asked for our assistance with a grounded barge. Our patch is from the weir in Athlone down to Lanesborough. Even though we’re on an inland lake, the water level has a range of about 2–3m from high to low throughout the year, so we can see quite a difference in the shoreline from one year to the next. There’ve been a couple of instances where we couldn’t get close enough to the casualties with the boat as it’s been too shallow so the crew had to walk in and carry the people out.’

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Stonehaven volunteers first formed an RNLI lifeboat crew from 1867–1934 and then again from 1967–84 before operating an independent search and rescue service. The new RNLI team at Stonehaven is made up of former and new volunteers who give their time to launch and crew the lifeboat, run the station and raise funds.

Richard Colliar, Helm
‘My day job is in the oil industry with 2 weeks working and 3 weeks off so in my spare time I volunteer on the inshore lifeboat. Of the 20 or so volunteer crew members, around half are in the oil industry and only two work normal office hours. Being on the edge of the North Sea we are pretty used to foul weather!

‘Our area of operation has a bit of everything. We have cliffs 90m high, long sandy beaches and very rocky outcrops. One of our challenges is to launch in all states of the tide. Our lifeboat is currently kept in a shed owned by the local sea cadets. Crew members have been to the RNLI College in Poole for training. Trainers have also visited us at the station for a 2-week intensive course. The time the trainers and assessors have given us has been superb. Our crew has really bonded and, although I was a little sad when the independent lifeboat service here folded, we’re really happy to be part of the RNLI.’

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Bognor East and West beaches started benefitting from an RNLI lifeguard service this Summer, for the first time.

Olly Cona, Lifeguard Supervisor and Littlehampton Crew Member
‘At Bognor the risks come from people tombstoning off the pier and jumping off groynes. At low water the rocks become exposed and can cause harm if anyone swims out to them or tries to walk across them. I’ve been volunteering as crew with Littlehampton lifeboat since 2010 and then became a lifeguard too. I love working on the beach – including the fitness aspect and helping people. This year I have been setting up the new service in Bognor Regis, which runs to 7 September. No days are the same on the beach. You never really know what’s going to happen.’