Lifeboat Magazine Autumn 2026

ISSUE 657 | AUTUMN 2026

CULLERCOATS LIFEBOAT CREW LAUNCH TO SURFER IN PERIL

PLUS:

THANK YOU

For keeping families safer this year

GENERATION GAME

Find out how lifeguards saved one family, twice

8 WAYS TO SAVE LIVES Making a difference in Lake Victoria, Tanzania

Bethany Hope, Editor Email: lifeboat@rnli.org.uk

AUTUMN 2026 ISSUE 657 © RNLI 2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted with the prior consent of the RNLI. Opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Care is taken to ensure that editorial information is correct at the time of going to press but is subject to change. Chair: Janet Legrand OBE KC (Hon) Chief Executive: Peter Sparkes Lifeboat Editor: Bethany Hope Lifeboat Design: Lee Hawkins, Emily Scott Front cover: The Cullercoats crew launch on a training exercise – see rescue on page 10. Photo: Stephen Duncombe Photo (below): Face-to-face fundraiser Robyn Sanders at West Kirby. Photo: RNLI/David Edwards

Blind and partially sighted people can choose to receive a free CD of the magazine

Contact us Would you prefer to receive a digital copy of Lifeboat magazine by email or not receive it at all? Are you moving house? Do you have another question? Then please email supporterexperience@rnli.org.uk with your request, including your supporter number. You can also call us on 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 663234 (from any other country), or write to us at RNLI Support Centre, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. We do so by providing a rescue service, safety education, and supervision on beaches. We also influence other organisations, policy-makers and regulators. Our crews and lifeguards have saved over 147,000 lives since the RNLI was formed in 1824. Our Water Safety Team helps keep people safe at the coast and our International Team works to reduce drowning around the world where it’s a major risk. We are independent from the government and rely on voluntary contributions and gifts in Wills for income. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney

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Welcome Let me introduce you Did you meet any of your RNLI family this summer? It’s our lifeboat crew and lifeguards’ busiest season – did you spot us out and about and say hello? Or perhaps you met us at a lifeboat station open day or a fundraising event? Given the chance, we’ll tell you in person how grateful we are for all your kind support. But we also hope that through the pages of your Lifeboat magazine, you’ll feel closer to our lifesaving crew and those rescued. We know that we couldn’t do it without you – don’t miss our special thank you message (page 4).

Browse through your magazine and you’ll meet some members of your RNLI family, including surfer Euan and the Cullercoats crew (page 10), award-winning lifeguards Noah and Matt (page 14), and volunteers Mhairi and Maisie (page 22). I hope you enjoy your magazine and thank you very much for your company.

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In this issue REGULARS 4 News Keeping you up to date with everything RNLI 22 Me and my ... Get to know mum and daughter lifesavers, Mhairi and Maisie 30 Shelf life Browse these book reviews 40 Special delivery Your letters, posts and pictures

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42 Your RNLI family The lives and loves of your fellow lifesavers

IN DEPTH 18 Safety and community Spotlight on drowning prevention in Lake Victoria 24 Long time no see Reunited: David and the lifeguard who saved his life 39 Lifesaver Meet ex-crew member Tom, who still saves lives at sea

RESCUE 39

8 Rescue stories Action stations 10

Ripped apart Two brothers fight for survival

14 One battle after another Award-winning lifeguard rescue 16 ‘I felt my back break’ Jon remembers his cliff fall and the team that saved him

Lifeboat autumn 2026 3

News

YOUR GUIDE TO EVERYTHING RNLI

King’s Birthday Honours Eight volunteers and staff have been recognised in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours for their roles in helping to save lives at sea.

British Empire Medal (BEM) Andy Burden, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cleethorpes RNLI Thank you for helping to reach more children with safety tips and resources for teachers

Thanks to you More than 175,000 children were safer at the water this summer – thanks to you. That’s because your support helped our volunteers and lifeguards share water safety messages at more than 1,800 schools and youth groups. You helped to fund the resources for Water Smart sessions: fun activities provided by the RNLI that show children how to avoid getting into danger – and what to do if things go wrong. So, as well as powering our rescue teams, you have helped to give a school lesson like no other – a lesson that could help a child save their own life. You also helped to ensure that thousands of children were introduced to the RNLI. They learned that we’re a charity, and that we depend on courageous, skilful people to save lives all year round. So, thank you for helping to keep our children safe.

Watch the AGM A recording of our Annual General Meeting (AGM), including the Charity Report by Chief Executive Peter Sparkes, is available to watch at RNLI.org/AGM. The AGM took place on 17 June 2026.

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Leslie Coe, Volunteer Boathouse Manager at Walmer RNLI Brenda Couzens, former Volunteer Chair of the Penrith RNLI Fundraising Branch Ian Stroud, Volunteer Chair of the Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat Management Group Eric Taylor, Volunteer Chair of the Penlee RNLI Fundraising Branch

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) Phill Corsi, retired Volunteer Coxswain at Newhaven RNLI and RNLI Area Operations Manager Jono Dodd, Volunteer Helm at West Kirby RNLI David Macaskill, Volunteer Coxswain at Lochinver RNLI

To read their stories, please visit RNLI.org/Honours26.

NEWS

Gift Aid only takes a tick

Revealed: the coastal lifeboat The nature of the RNLI’s lifesaving is changing: 98% of all our launches are to incidents within 10 miles of the shore. To support this, we are introducing a new coastal lifeboat. Following trials of three boats involving more than 50 volunteers and staff from inshore and all-weather backgrounds, the RNLI has chosen the Hurricane ZH 1129, supplied by Zodiac. We’re refining the off-the-shelf design and hope to have two boats ready for trials in 2027. We’ll bring you more information on coastal lifeboats in future issues of your Lifeboat magazine.

In 2025, the RNLI reclaimed £7.9M on donations, thanks to people like you who ticked the Gift Aid box. When you sign up to Gift Aid, we can reclaim an extra 25% on any donations from the past 4 years, and any future donations, at no extra cost to you. If you’re a UK taxpayer, please sign up at RNLI.org/GoFurther. It only takes a tick! What happens when you say yes to Gift Aid

yo u r n t io don a

£1

Flying the flag

+25p

It’s a special year for RNLI lifeguards as we’re celebrating 25 years of safer beaches. For International Lifeguard Appreciation Day on 31 July, we flew the flag for our amazing lifeguards, wearing red and yellow and raising funds. Check out some colourful pictures online, with the hashtag #LoveYourLifeguard.

Lifeboat-building changes The RNLI has made the difficult decision to close the Inshore Lifeboat Centre at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight by the end of 2027. This means all lifeboat production will move to the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset. The consolidation will help ensure the charity remains sustainable and well positioned for the future (see RNLI.org/OneCrewOnePlan for more on our plans). With future production of all-weather lifeboats expected to reduce by around a third to meet evolving lifesaving needs, there will be insufficient work to sustain two manufacturing facilities. The newer and larger facility at Poole can accommodate the production of inshore lifeboats as well as all-weather lifeboats. The RNLI will support our team at Cowes through these changes. For more, head to RNLI.org/ILCclosure.

topped up by Gift Aid

total value to the RNLI

Tax relief in Ireland If you’re a taxpayer in the Republic of Ireland and donate a cumulative amount of €250 or more in 1 calendar year to the RNLI, it’s possible that the charity could claim tax relief on your donations under the Charitable Donation Scheme. Find out more at RNLI.org/TaxRelief.

Photos: RNLI/Nathan Williams, Zodiac

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Community Welcome to a selection of news from your RNLI community. For all the latest from where you are, head to RNLI.org/news EXMOUTH

Lifeguards’ return visit In the spring, Exmouth RNLI lifeguards returned to the Deaf Academy, for an exchange of training in the lead-up to Deaf Awareness Week. The session highlighted the importance of breaking down communication barriers faced by Deaf individuals, particularly when accessing information that can be lifesaving. RNLI lifeguards and students Students taught RNLI lifeguards essential British Sign Language at Exmouth’s (BSL) phrases related to water safety, alongside communication tips. Deaf Academy These tools will help lifeguards communicate more effectively with Deaf beachgoers. In return, the lifeguards shared guidance on how to stay safe in and around the water. Mark Stocks, Partnership and Community Manager at the Deaf Academy, says: ‘It’s important to provide deaf awareness to lifeguards, as most Deaf people would not wear their audiology equipment whilst swimming. The training that was provided to the students was accessible and helped raise their own awareness about keeping safe.’

Training with the crew

GALWAY

University of Galway students with the local crew

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Medicine students from the University of Galway collaborated on a valuable training exercise with the crew at Galway Lifeboat Station. Dr Cara Egan, a University of Galway lecturer, says: ‘This was an opportunity for our students to see how their medical training will be used in the event of caring for casualties brought to shore by RNLI crew. The visit was part of the Simulation and Medical Education module for the students, which is designed to demonstrate learning in the community.’ The students got to experience how RNLI crew assess and manage casualty care in a very different environment from hospital-based care. The evening’s training followed a visit by the crew to the University’s Clinical Simulation and Interprofessional Education Facility.

COMMUNITY

Events

PENARTH AND BARRY DOCK

Ten for effort!

RNLI Lyme Splash Swim

In May, volunteers and supporters came together for a 10-mile ‘kayak carry’ from Penarth Lifeboat Station to Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, raising funds for the charity. Organised by the Cardiff British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), the challenge saw participants carry a kayak on foot along the coastline, ultimately arriving at the RNLI Shop and Visitor Experience at Barry Island. RNLI volunteers from Barry Dock joined sections of the walk, highlighting the connection between the lifeboat station and the local community. HM Coastguard provided a special escort and, as the fundraisers reached the final stretch, they were met by a crowd of supporters. The event formed part of a series of activities to mark Barry Dock RNLI’s 125th anniversary year. Funds raised will go towards supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving work around the coast in the Fundraisers from the Cardiff British Sub-Aqua Vale of Glamorgan. Club reaching Barry Dock RNLI

Lyme Regis Beach, DT7 3JH Sunday 6 September, 9am–2pm A 2-mile sea swim between Lyme Regis and Charmouth for intermediate or experienced open water swimmers (wetsuit required). Registration: £40. Participants are asked to pledge to raise at least £100. Search ‘RNLI Lyme Splash Swim 2026’ on eventbrite.co.uk.

RNLI Clovelly to Appledore Walk Clovelly Visitor Centre Café, EX39 5TA Saturday 12 September, 9am–5pm

SUNDERLAND

Join fellow RNLI supporters on the popular 16-mile walk along the stunning South West Coast Path. Approximate walking time: 5 hours. Return transport available to Clovelly. Tickets: £16.96 (including fees). Contact Roy Broad on roy@roybroad.com.

All together now

Lee Quinney as Elton John

Supporters gathered at Sunderland Yacht Club in March for a lively evening of sea shanties in aid of the RNLI, raising £1,340 for the charity. Guests enjoyed performances by The Auckland Shanty Singers, who also presented a cheque for £942, raised through their own efforts. Activities on the night included a charity raffle and almost £400 was generously donated by those attending, making the fantastic total. David Hastings, Honorary Secretary of the Durham Branch RNLI, says: ‘The Auckland Shanty Singers created a brilliant atmosphere, and it was great to see so many people come together to support the RNLI. The funds raised will make a real difference in helping our crews continue their lifesaving work.’ RNLI mascot Stormy Stan with The Auckland Shanty Singers

Hannafore Point Hotel, Looe, PL13 2DG Saturday 17 October, 7.30–10.15pm Returning by popular demand, along with his band, Lee covers the greatest hits of Elton John. Tickets: £22.38. Search ‘RNLI Looe Presents Lee Quinney as Elton John Rocketman 2026’ on eventbrite.co.uk.

GET INVOLVED To find more events coming up in your area, including lifeboat open days, head to RNLI.org/events.

Photos: RNLI/(Claire Bird, the Deaf Academy, Aoife Morrissy, Lisa Newberry)

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RESCUE STORIES As a loyal supporter, you are helping our lifeboat crews and lifeguards carry out thousands of rescues every year. Here are some highlights, and you can read full accounts of other rescues on the following pages: 6 CULLERCOATS | PAGE 10 7 BANTHAM | PAGE 14 8 HOLYHEAD | PAGE 16 For more rescue stories, head to RNLI.org/rescues

A WING AND A PRAYER

NEWHAVEN | 28 APRIL 2026

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Alerted by a 999 call from a member of the public, our lifesavers wasted no time in searching for a wingfoiler who was battling to swim against offshore winds after his kit broke, unable to get back to land. The man – who was wearing a wetsuit and a buoyancy aid – was recovered by the lifeboat crew over a mile out. The volunteers ensured he was returned safely to Seaford Beach.

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RESCUE STORIES

LOST AND FOUND

ARAN ISLANDS | 3 MAY 2026

When a group exploring Straw Island reported a missing person who had been separated from friends, RNLI volunteers conducted a search in their Severn class lifeboat. Spotting the casualty struggling in the water 700m from the island, the RNLI crew pulled them into the lifeboat. The casualty was then airlifted to hospital by a Coast Guard helicopter.

DOG GONE IT

MAY DAY MAYDAY

ILFRACOMBE | 15 MAY 2026

Volunteers launched their D class lifeboat to help a Labrador that had slipped its collar and fallen from the clifftop onto rocks. Rough seas prevented the lifeboat from getting close to the dog. One of the crew members entered the churning water, grabbed the dog and swam back to the lifeboat. Then he helped the Labrador into the lifeboat before being hauled aboard himself, all while the dog’s owners watched nervously from above. Back at the lifeboat station, the dog was reunited with its family. See the video at RNLI.org/lab.

THE MUMBLES | 4 MAY 2026 When a motorboat with nine people aboard took on water in Swansea Bay, local RNLI volunteers responded. It was their second call out of the Bank Holiday weekend. After both of the station’s lifeboats arrived on scene, a crew member climbed aboard the vessel with a salvage pump, but fortunately it wasn’t needed. After the situation was brought under control, the volunteers escorted the vessel safely to the marina.

TEAM EFFORT

INVERGORDON | 18 MAY 2026

Some RNLI interventions aren’t on water at all. The crew of the Shannon class lifeboat arrived at Shandwick Beach after being tasked to assist a walker with a suspected broken ankle. RNLI volunteers trained in casualty care used the lifeboat’s small inflatable boat to get ashore and assess the injured walker. With help from the fire and rescue service, the team transferred the casualty into the care of the ambulance service. Photos: Paul Craddock, RNLI/(Adam Gilbert, Rónán Mac Giollapharaic, Michael MacDonald, Newhaven)

Lifeboat autumn 2026 9

When a powerful rip current pulled Euan away from his brother Andrew, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever see him again

When Euan and his brother Andrew headed out for a surf at Longsands Beach, Tynemouth, it was a relatively calm day. The swells were big enough for a chilled but fun surf. ‘I only started surfing about a year ago, and I wanted to help Andrew give it a go,’ says Euan. ‘We spent a lot of time on the water growing up, so know a bit about the sea and the risks to watch out for.’ The brothers rented their surfboards at the beach. ‘We got a safety briefing from the team at the hire centre, and they told us about the risk of rip currents,’ says Euan.

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When they got into the water, Euan realised his surfboard wasn’t the right size for the conditions or his surfing ability, so went back ashore to get a different one. As Euan started to make his way back to the water, he saw Andrew getting pulled towards some rocks at the edge of the bay. ‘At first, I tried to shout for him to come back into shore a bit. But when I saw him getting even closer to the rocks, I thought he must be caught in a rip current,’ recalls Euan. Panicking, Euan dropped his board and ran as fast as he could into the sea.

Managing to reach Andrew and his surfboard, Euan felt the rip current pulling both of them out to sea. They let go of the board, hoping this might slow them down. But when they tried to swim, it was even harder to fight against the rip. ‘It was like trying to swim on a treadmill,’ remembers Euan. ‘I couldn’t see him anymore’ Without the board, the brothers struggled to stay together. ‘We were getting dragged further and further away from each other. I was getting pulled out to sea, and Andrew was getting pushed towards the rocks.

RESCUE STORIES

Before I knew it, I couldn’t see him anymore,’ says Euan. Remembering safety advice that his dad had told him, and from RNLI Float to Live adverts that he’d seen on TV, Euan started floating on his back. ‘I could see the ad in my head,’ says Euan. ‘I remembered it when I needed it.’ Still unable to see Andrew, Euan assumed the worst. ‘I thought my brother was dead. On top of that, I was trying to process whether I’d make it out safe myself,’ says Euan. It was only when a wave threw Euan high up in the water that he was able to catch a glimpse of Andrew. ‘I managed to shout across to him, telling him to float on his back and stay calm,’ says Euan. Within seconds, Andrew was out of sight again. The next 10 minutes were tough for Euan. He was cold and scared, with only the eerie sound of the waves rolling over him to keep him company. Suddenly another wave threw Euan up in the water again. He spotted someone in the distance running along the shore. ‘It looked like Andrew, so I really hoped it was him,’ says Euan. ‘It gave me the little bit of faith I needed to stay focused on floating.’

Launching to Euan’s rescue The person Euan saw was indeed Andrew – he’d managed to swim back to the beach after three big waves pushed him close to shore. But Euan was still out there, hoping for help. A passersby saw what was happening and called 999, asking for the Coastguard. The Cullercoats RNLI volunteers’ pagers sounded, one of which belonged to Crew Member Martyn Walsh. ‘When the crew and I got to the station, we found out that someone was in trouble in the water near the outdoor pool at Longsands,’ says Martyn. ‘This part of the beach has great waves for surfers, so it’s very inviting. But the strong current near the rocks can easily catch people out.’

‘Euan absolutely did the right thing by floating on his back’ MARTYN WALSH CREW MEMBER, CULLERCOATS RNLI

Within minutes, the crew found Euan in the water, still floating on his back. ‘Euan was pretty exhausted,’ says Martyn. ‘But he

Martyn has been part of the Cullercoats crew for over 5 years

absolutely did the right thing by floating on his back. It helped him calm down his breathing and conserve some energy until we came to his rescue.’ Euan remembers the lifeboat coming over the horizon: ‘That was the moment I knew I was safe. It was an incredible feeling.’ They manoeuvred the lifeboat up alongside and Martyn threw a line to Euan. He caught it, and the crew worked together to pull

The water by the historic outdoor swimming pool at Longsands Beach is known for its powerful current Lifeboat autumn 2026 11

him into the lifeboat. ‘Our training helps us prepare for scenarios like this, so we can get people like Euan to safety as quickly as possible,’ says Martyn. The crew had heard from the Coastguard on their radios that Andrew was on the shore. But, despite seeing who he thought was Andrew, Euan still didn’t know for certain if his brother was safe. ‘As soon as I saw the crew, I asked them about Andrew,’ says Euan. ‘When they told me he was OK, it was such a relief. I had to ask them multiple times to make sure. There were points when I really thought I’d lost him.’ Reunited at last Martyn and the rest of the crew brought Euan safely back to the station. He was checked over and cared for by a paramedic, as he was slightly hypothermic. Once he was able to leave, all Euan could think about was getting

Euan returned to thank Martyn and the other volunteers

to Andrew. ‘When we saw each other again on the beach, it was very emotional,’ says Euan. ‘I think we were both still in shock, as it took a while to process everything that had happened to us. But I was just so happy to see him.’ Reuniting people with their loved ones is one of the many fulfilling parts of being a crew member. ‘It felt amazing to know that we were getting Euan back to his brother and the rest of his family,’ says Martyn.

The evening after the brothers’ ordeal, Kay Heslop, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cullercoats RNLI, received a phone call from Euan and Andrew’s mum. ‘She was so emotional and couldn’t thank us enough,’ says Kay. ‘She said: “We’ve been spending time in the garden as a family today and realised if it hadn’t been for the RNLI, we may never have had another afternoon like this.” That was so special to hear.’

The Cullercoats crew launched to Euan’s rescue 11 minutes after their pagers sounded

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RESCUE STORIES

Giving back Euan has since been back to the station to see some of the crew who rescued him, including Martyn. ‘It’s been so nice to see everyone again and thank them all properly. The crew are so friendly. I had no idea they were volunteers and rescue people like me around their full-time jobs and studies,’ says Euan. ‘It was great to see Euan again,’ says Martyn. ‘Knowing that you’ve helped save a life and reunited someone with their family is very rewarding.’ As a way of giving back to the lifesavers, Euan and Andrew took part in the RNLI Mayday Mile this year. But instead of running only a mile a day, they took on a huge challenge of running a half-marathon a day for the entire month – raising over £8,800 for the RNLI. ‘Donations are vital for keeping the RNLI going, so we really wanted to do something to support the volunteers. They’re incredible. Ultimately, I owe them my life. I’m so grateful for everything they did for me,’ says Euan.

The brothers ran over 800 miles between them to raise money for the RNLI

Words: Hannah Old Photos: Stephen Duncombe, RNLI/James Moffatt

Knowing how to float helped save Euan’s life, and it could save yours.

HOW TO FLOAT TO LIVE

1. Tilt your head back, submerging your ears. 2. Relax and control your breathing. 3. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat. 4. Your legs may sink – that’s OK, everyone floats differently. 5. Find your float by practising at a supervised location. Lifeboat autumn 2026 13

‘We knew we couldn’t wait’ MATT PYMAN RNLI LIFEGUARD, BANTHAM

O N E B AT T L E A F TER A NOTHER A F TER A NOTHER A F TER A NOTHER Darkening skies, pelting rain, crashing waves and a casualty in a literal tight spot. For Bantham lifeguards Matt and Noah, the challenges wouldn’t end there

Sunday 29 September 2024 came with a warning – a Met Office ‘yellow’ weather warning. And when RNLI lifeguards at Sedgewell Cove, Devon were alerted to a person struggling in the water at the foot of cliffs, they had a decision to make. With strong winds and messy surf, conditions weren’t ideally suited 14 Lifeboat autumn 2026

to Sedgewell’s inshore rescue boat. So the alert was passed to RNLI lifeguards at Bantham, where lifesavers could call upon their more capable ski, known as a rescue watercraft. The person in trouble had been crossing Bigbury Causeway when he was swept off his feet by the incoming tide. To make matters worse,

he was then funnelled away from safety by a rip current. Now, under a darkening sky, he was clinging to rocks, exposed to the breaking waves. Given the gravity of the situation, HM Coastguard tasked two Coastguard helicopters, Salcombe RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, and Bigbury and Kingsbridge Coastguard Rescue Teams.

RESCUE STORIES

Matt and Noah outside 10 Downing Street

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Left: Lifeguards Matt (left) and Noah with their rescue watercraft Above: Training in surf – in conditions similar to the day of the rescue

For their skill, decision-making, calculated selflessness and outstanding courage, Noah and Matt were recognised with the RNLI’s Alison Saunders Award. The award is presented each year for a single notable rescue by RNLI lifeguards. The pair also attended a reception at 10 Downing Street – hosted by the Prime Minister – alongside representatives from other frontline roles. Of the rescue, Matt says: ‘It was one of the most challenging scenarios I’ve faced as a lifeguard.’

‘I’ve rarely seen anyone who looked more in need of help’

But the first assets wouldn’t arrive for 20 minutes. When Bantham lifeguards Matt Pyman and Noah Hindley had set out on their rescue watercraft, they’d feared the worst, thinking they might already be too late. Arriving on scene, the casualty’s precarious situation was immediately apparent to them. ‘Straight away, we knew we couldn’t wait for the other assets to arrive,’ recalls Matt. ‘The man was in a horrible spot,’ adds Noah. ‘He was in a gulley between the rocks, so we couldn’t see him from our position on the water. People on top of the cliff guided us to where he was, but the gulley was too narrow for us to enter on the rescue watercraft, and the rocks made it too dangerous. It was windy and pouring with rain.

There were crashing 2–3m waves, and the short period between them made it harder to manoeuvre.’ Time for plan B While Noah negotiated the battering waves, Matt dismounted and swam 200m to the casualty with a rescue tube. The plan was to bring him back to the sled that they’d hitched to the back of the rescue watercraft. But Noah and Matt had a surprise in store – the casualty didn’t want to be rescued. Fearful, the man – who was soaking wet and still clinging to his backpack – preferred to attempt another way out. As the casualty clambered around the rocks, Matt lost sight of him. Out of Matt’s eyeline, the casualty was swept into the sea once more. Still on the rescue watercraft, Noah

skilfully manoeuvred to within 3m of the man. ‘I shouted to him, beckoning him towards me, but he refused,’ remembers Noah. The casualty returned to the rocks, attempting to scale them another time. Against the odds, the man eventually managed to scramble up the cliff to safety. ‘I’ve rarely seen anyone who looked more in need of help,’ says Noah. After Noah dropped Matt back at the beach, Matt – along with an RNLI lifeguard from Sedgewell and members of the Coastguard – located the casualty, who was shaken and cold, but safe at last. Reflecting on the outcome, Noah says: ‘He was lucky to get up that cliff. If he hadn’t managed it, the only other way out was by helicopter.’ ‘The rescue watercraft was made for surf like that,’ adds Matt. Lifeboat autumn 2026 15

Words: Darren Crew. Photos: RNLI/(Luke Lane-Prokopiou, Nigel Millard), Sephia Wohlrabe @sephslens

NOAH HINDLEY LIFEGUARD SUPERVISOR, BANTHAM

ACTUAL RESCUE SHOT Rescuers are on the cliff face with Jon, the injured climber. Trearddur Bay B class (left) and Holyhead D class (right) stay close

‘The RNLI never, never left the ledge. The guys were there for hours’ JON TWEEDLIE

Jon uses climbing as a way to escape from ever yday life

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After a dramatic climbing accident, Jon was trapped on a cliff ledge in fading light Gogarth Bay, near Holyhead, is a popular destination for climbers looking for a challenge. Jon had travelled there with his housemate Ash. It was a bright sunny day – ideal conditions for climbing. They chose a route with the reputation of being ‘safe’. Jon began his climb and he made good progress until he reached an overhang. Carrying heavy equipment and exposed to the glare of the sun, he started to struggle. During a manoeuvre, one of Jon’s climbing points exploded out of position. The rope suddenly went slack, sending Ash who was anchoring his climb, off balance. Jon fell from the cliff. ‘Time slowed down,’ says Jon. ‘I knew I was going to hit the ground and so you just kind of relax because, what else are you going to do really? ‘I felt my back break when I hit the ground,

which is a weird feeling, but I didn’t know how bad it was.’ At the foot of the cliff, there was no phone signal. So Ash had to go and get help. Jon watched his friend disappear, leaving him alone on the rocky shelf a few metres above the water. He had an anxious wait. Pain was coursing through his body, with adrenaline starting to wear off. The sun was setting. ‘Then I heard the boat motor coming,’ remembers Jon. It was Holyhead RNLI’s D class Mary & Archie Hooper. The lifeboat approached the foot of the cliffs and two crew members jumped out. They climbed up to the ledge where Jon was trapped. Crew Members Mark Wade and Holly Owen began casualty care, administering pain relief and trying to keep Jon as comfortable as possible. The lifeboat

RESCUE STORIES

‘There’s one thing I’ll never forget. One of the crew members held my hand the entire time’ JON TWEEDLIE, RESCUEE

crew were just the first lifesavers coming to Jon’s aid. A Coastguard paramedic was winched down to the cliff while the Holyhead Cliff Rescue Team gathered at the top. In the bay, Holyhead’s all-weather Severn class lifeboat Christopher Pearce used their searchlight to illuminate the scene as it got dark. The D class lifeboat floated nearby in case anyone fell into the water. Trearddur Bay B class lifeboat also arrived. Crew Member Mike Dorawn climbed up, bringing stronger pain relief and more experience of casualty care. ‘The RNLI never, never left the ledge,’ remembers Jon. ‘The guys were there for hours. They made sure I was comfortable, had water, and wasn’t in pain.’ The rescue teams worked together to get Jon airlifted to hospital. The coastguard helicopter couldn’t take

Jon directly off the cliff face, so the cliff rescue team rappelled down to Jon. They carefully secured him to a specialised stretcher and lowered him onto the D class lifeboat. ‘I remember that was the scariest part, swinging into the dark above the sea,’ Jon says. The D class crew transferred Jon onto the larger all-weather lifeboat. They got moving, ready for the helicopter airlift. ‘There’s one thing I’ll never forget,’ says Jon. ‘One of the crew members held my hand the entire time. It was such a nice thing to do.’ More than 6 hours after his fall, Jon was finally on his way to hospital. The recovery Jon had fractures in multiple vertebrae and a broken coccyx. He feared a lengthy recovery time but, after 5 days immobile in a hospital spinal bed, Jon was able to stand up. Two months

after his accident, Jon was back climbing again. On the anniversary of his cliff rescue, Jon paid a visit to Holyhead Lifeboat Station to reunite with Mark, Holly and the rest of the crew. ‘I can’t go on enough about how grateful I am to them,’ says Jon. ‘The work they do is so underrated. Everyone needs to know the critical service they do for people like me.’

Jon returns to thank the crew at Holyhead and make a donation Words: James Dwyer Photos: Vicki Owens, RNLI/Holyhead, Jon Tweedlie

Lifeboat autumn 2026 17

Safety and community around Lake Victoria

Find out how we’re working with Tanzanian fishing communities on solutions to drowning, and what happens when a long-serving lifeboat coxswain sees the RNLI’s international work for himself 18 Lifeboat autumn 2026

FEATURE

‘This project feels like a natural fit’ Kate Eardley RNLI Head of Global Drowning Prevention The danger of the fishing industry is one of the reasons the RNLI was founded. And 202 years later, fishing is still one of the riskiest jobs in the world. We’ve brought down the risk in the UK and Ireland through regulation and technological advances, but we’re not seeing that in other parts of the world. The RNLI had been working in Zanzibar for a few years when we heard about the huge problem of fishermen drowning in Lake Victoria. It’s a lake the size of the island of Ireland. Hundreds of thousands of fishermen and their families rely on the lake for their livelihoods. They often go out in small boats, without lifejackets, without a means of calling for help. The weather is unpredictable. They often fish at night. We found a local partner, the environmental organisation EMEDO. Together, in 2022, we launched the Lake Victoria Drowning Prevention Project. We spoke with local fishers and the challenges they mentioned were often so similar to those faced by fishers in the UK and Ireland – not wanting to wear lifejackets, worries about the weather, worries about not making an income.

We decided to test a few different interventions in a small number of villages, based on our experience of what works, and on what the fishers had told us. Now we’re starting to evaluate these interventions and say: Have we made a difference? And is this difference being felt by the communities? Together, we’re working out which interventions worked well and would be worth bringing to other communities. Our work on Lake Victoria has received funding from the overseas development budgets of the Irish and Manx governments. The project feels like a natural fit for Ireland and the Isle of Man – two countries with such strong fishing heritage. The rest of the project is funded by the RNLI. The communities in Tanzania are so grateful for the support of people like you, many thousands of miles away, who have recognised that fishing is a deadly occupation and are trying to help them help themselves. It’s not a handout, it’s a hand-up. It’s sharing our expertise and it’s so gratefully received.

‘Our school has more than 1,000 students. They all fetch water from the lake. We have created a community that is aware of drowning – and they are the future fishermen and parents’ Charles Amon Teacher, Busekera, Tanzania

‘I see the direct impact on fishermen’ Venant Enock Project Officer, Lake Victoria Drowning Prevention Project I am a project officer and trainer for the Lake Victoria Drowning Prevention Project, run by EMEDO Tanzania and supported by the RNLI. I conduct awareness campaigns for the community, and I gather statistics. I also teach fishers about safety when doing their work on the lake, and train other local people to be trainers. I usually wake up between 1am and 6am – it depends what time the fishermen are coming in from the lake. I don’t have an office – I’m more of a mobile person. I go to the landing sites to observe the numbers wearing lifejackets. Then I visit the beach management offices to discuss any issues. Later I check whether the weather board has been filled in by the weather champions, and speak with them about any updates too. I sometimes attend public meetings or meetings with community leaders, to talk about any issues, or any new themes or ideas. I usually end my day by giving some awareness messaging to the fishermen and fish processors. The best part of my role is seeing the direct impact on fishermen. They are now reducing financial losses since they now check the

Lifeboat autumn 2026 19

weather boards. The local fish processors, usually women, are also avoiding losses because they check the forecast before buying fish at a high price. Of course, the most important part is the lives that have been saved. I hear testimonies from fishermen whose boats capsized and who relied on lifejackets to save their lives. Lifejackets were not commonly worn before the project. The most obvious challenge is resources. We have had to adapt our training here by using picture cards as most of the local areas are so remote that they don’t have electricity. Also, we often lack the proper materials that are recommended for use, so we mostly tell the fishermen to improvise, for example saving someone from drowning by throwing a jerrycan with a rope. I hope the project will be extended to more places, so that more communities get access to the weather forecast, and to quality lifejackets at affordable prices, enabling safety of all the stakeholders in the fish chain. I also hope to continue learning and to deliver knowledge to larger groups of fishers and trainers.

The RNLI is helping the fishing community to help themselves

20 Lifeboat autumn 2026

Sharing water safety advice in schools

‘It’s about working with communities’ Paddy McLaughlin Coxswain and RNLI Trustee I have been a volunteer with the RNLI for over 44 years, and I am a serving coxswain at Red Bay lifeboat in Cushendall, Co Antrim. As a Trustee, I try to be the voice of the volunteer from the coast. When the RNLI started international work, I did think: ‘What is all this about?’ When I got the chance to visit Tanzania as an RNLI Trustee, and see the Lake Victoria Drowning Prevention Project in action, it was humbling. We’re helping communities to help themselves. I’m very glad that we’ve taken the time to work with communities to find the solutions. We don’t have the solutions for Tanzania, but we have the right skills to support, and I think we’re doing it very very well. The weather forecast is put up on a board every day, so people know if it’s safe to go fishing. We’re holding community water safety events, and educating children about the dangers of the water. It’s really quite similar to what we do in Ireland or the UK. I went to a workshop where we were actually designing a lifejacket that would suit the environment. For example, people there wear long robes, so you’re not going to put a crotch strap on there as if you’re going

FEATURE

out on a Sunday cruise around Dublin Bay. Whether you’re in Cushendall or you’re in Lake Victoria, it’s all about working with communities to find the right solutions. It’s just like in Ireland – what works in Cushendall may not work in Dun Laoghaire. A big lesson for me was seeing how the teams have taken simple ideas and kept them simple. We can tend to overcomplicate things. Nothing can compare with seeing the difference for yourself. I am a huge advocate now – we’re spending money wisely and we’re making a difference. I would go back tomorrow morning.

‘Now people wear lifejackets, they fix their boats, and they have been educated. Now drowning deaths have reduced’ Christina Mamasaki Fish Processor, Kome, Tanzania

Eight ways to save lives The Lake Victoria Drowning Prevention Project focuses on the following interventions:

Fisher safety training

Water safety in the community

Weather boards

Lifejackets

The RNLI and EMEDO are training local government agencies to deliver safety training to fishers. We’ve also produced a simple fisher safety training manual, which can be developed and distributed in low-income settings.

Fishers on the lake do not carry smartphones and cannot easily access up-to-date weather information. Electronic weather boards now stand at various landing sites, being fed information from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority. Manual weather boards were also tested, where a map of the area on a whiteboard is updated with weather information by local champions. There’s also space for incident notifications.

Risk boards

Many fishers move around the lake, and don’t always fish in the same spot. Local risk boards now show hazards that would be familiar to fishers in the UK or Ireland, such as rocks and currents, but also warn of pirates, crocodiles and hippos.

Water safety in schools

Risk board showing local hazards including rocks, currents and crocodiles

Schools in the area often have environmental clubs where the children go litter-picking or tree-planting. We’ve brought water safety lessons to these clubs. The lessons were developed in Zanzibar, but adapted for a lake setting. The children take the lessons home to their parents too, many of whom are fishers.

Communities did not discuss drowning or how to prevent it, and believed it was fate. Now the project uses football games, local drama groups, school performances, or outdoor cinema screenings to spread water safety messages.

Only poor quality lifejackets were on sale and weren’t always in stock. The project piloted a model of sales by installments, using imported lifejackets that follow ISO (international safety) standards.

Emergency response planning Before, communities would gather money to hire a boat to search for fishers who did not come home. But they had no system. The RNLI delivered training on a simple community chain of command and search patterns, to use when an emergency response is needed.

Local governance

EMEDO and the RNLI have worked to get water safety and women’s voices into local governance structures, for example working on byelaws that say fishers should wear lifejackets.

The results of these interventions are now being assessed, with a view to expanding those most effective to more communities in Tanzania and beyond. Watch this space … Words: Mairéad Dwane Photos: EMEDO, RNLI/(Harrison Bates, Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams)

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22 Lifeboat autumn 2026

ME AND MY ...

Me and my ...

daughter Mhairi tells us why she volunteers on the crew with her daughter Maisie

‘We’re proud to wear our yellows!’ MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, MHAIRI AND MAISIE WATSON

Maisie and I joined the Anstruther crew together almost 2 years ago. Maisie was already working as an RNLI lifeguard. Seeing Maisie’s confidence grow in that role gave us both the motivation to give lifeboating a go. I even joined Maisie on the beach last summer as a volunteer lifeguard! The whole RNLI experience helped me put things into perspective and leave an unfulfilling job. Being part of the crew feels so good. We’re a group of like-minded people who want to be here, who want to help people, who want to learn, and that’s such a great feeling. I’ve known a lot of the crew here since I was a kid. Everybody clicks and it just works. We’re like one big extended family – of course some actually are family! Want to hear more from the mother-daughter duo? Listen to Maisie on episode 2 of our We Are Lifeguards podcast at RNLI.org/WeAreLifeguards and watch them on youtube.com/hellyhansen. Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams

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When David visited Chapel Porth last summer, he wasn’t expecting to bump into the lifeguard that rescued him from the same spot 40 years before To David Lewington, Chapel Porth has always been a special place. He has fond memories of holidaying all around the Cornish coast as a child. With its long stretches of golden sand, sheltered rocky outcrops (perfect for beach barbecues) and the café serving famous ‘hedgehog’ ice creams, Chapel Porth near St Agnes is always somewhere he has gravitated back to. So, when he started a family of his own, it became an annual tradition to head there with his young children on holiday. In 1986, like many summers before, David was spending time at his favourite beach, bodyboarding in 24 Lifeboat autumn 2026

the surf. He eventually decided to return the board and go for a swim instead. He was enjoying diving through the waves, when he noticed another swimmer further out, clearly struggling. Without a second thought, David began swimming towards them. ‘I was acting purely on instinct; I saw someone who needed help and I went to help them.’ David tried as hard as he could to keep the swimmer afloat, and to stop them from dragging him under the water too in their panic. Luckily, a lifeguard arrived shortly afterwards, with a rescue tube.

‘I was acting purely on instinct’ DAVID LEWINGTON, RESCUEE

Until then, David had felt confident. When help arrived, he suddenly realised how exhausted he had become fighting against the waves, trying to hold the swimmer up. David had been running on adrenaline. ‘The lifeguard asked me if I was OK. I said I was, but I really wasn’t.’ What started out as a rescue attempt had escalated quickly, and David was fearing for his own life. Spotting David’s distress, after

FEATURE

The Foremost rescue featured in The Hornet comic, in 1968 David (left) reunites with his rescuer Martyn (right). They’re joined by Martyn’s son Josh (centre), who is also a lifeguard

‘Put it this way, I wouldn’t be here without you’ DAVID LEWINGTON, RESCUEE

rescuing the initial casualty, the lifeguard swam out again to bring David back to shore. David thanked him for saving his life. He left Chapel Porth that day with a newfound appreciation for the role of a lifeguard. Back then, the lifeguard who rescued David was part of the council-led service. The team saved many other people that day from the strong flash rip currents. David kept spending his holidays at Chapel Porth, and in the couple of summers after his rescue, he would bump into the lifeguard who saved him from time to time. Eventually, the chance encounters stopped. David didn’t see the lifeguard again, until …

Forty years later, he spotted a familiar face: sat in the driver’s seat of a van, parked up at Chapel Porth Beach, was the lifeguard who saved his life. After all this time, David debated whether to say anything – would he even remember him? But something made him go for it. ‘I asked him, “Did you used to lifeguard here 40 years ago?” He said he did and asked me why. I told him, “Put it this way, I wouldn’t be here without you”.’ The lifeguard remembered him. David recalls: ‘He was able to reminisce. It wasn’t just some vague recollection. He could actually remember – which is quite amazing because he must have Lifeboat autumn 2026 25

rescued hundreds of people over the years.’ The lifeguard introduced himself as Martyn Ward. Martyn became a lifeguard in 1977, before the RNLI service became established in the area. When the RNLI came to Chapel Porth in 2002, he joined the charity and remained a part of the lifeguard service for the rest of its 25-year history. Despite so many years of lifesaving under his belt, rescuing David has remained strong in his memory. Martyn reflects: ‘He did an amazing job. He held the first casualty until I arrived – I am trained to do that; it’s not such a big deal for me. But for David to do that was incredibly brave.’ The coincidence didn’t end there. After Martyn and David got chatting, they realised another remarkable thing. Martyn’s son, Josh Ward, is also an RNLI lifeguard – and it was Josh who rescued

David’s son-in-law after he got into difficulty while surfing at Chapel Porth just a few years prior. Reflecting on rescuing David years before, and the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards, Martyn acknowledges that a lot has changed throughout his time in the profession. ‘When the RNLI came to our area, we got a strategy, we had organisation, we had equipment and we had training – suddenly it was possible to have a proper career as a lifeguard.’ For David, it’s more about the constants. ‘It’s the spirit of the service that doesn’t seem to have changed. I’ll still chat to the lifeguards, as I used to do back then. They’re sat ready, always keeping an eye on what’s going on. It’s still a very personal, socially minded service, who have touched my family twice.’ For decades, Chapel Porth lifeguards watched over bodyboarders and swimmers near strong rip currents Back to the noughties: lifeguard wetsuits, radios and patrol vehicles

‘The RNLI lifeguard service truly stands on the shoulders of giants’ STUART PENFOLD, LEAD LIFEGUARD SUPERVISOR FOR WALES AND WEST

26 Lifeboat autumn 2026

FEATURE

THEN ...

Starting as a lifeguard in the late 70s, and working as one ever since, Martyn Ward has seen a lot of changes in the world of lifeguarding. The RNLI began to gradually take on beach lifeguarding services from local councils in 2001, starting in the south west of England, expanding across the country and arriving in Wales in 2008 and Scotland in 2013.

on the knowledge and culture those clubs had created. Many of today’s lifeguards still come through that system, starting as nippers and juniors, learning surf awareness, rescue techniques and leadership. Those foundations produce confident, capable professionals and remind us that the RNLI lifeguard service truly stands on the shoulders of giants.’

Councils and local lifesaving clubs played an essential role in keeping their communities safe, laying strong foundations for beach safety. The introduction of a standardised RNLI service meant lifesaving became even more consistent and reliable around the coast.

After starting as a small trial in the south west of England, there are now RNLI lifeguards on 245 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands.

Stuart Penfold, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Wales and West, explains how RNLI lifeguards owe a huge debt to the Surf Life Saving Clubs that sprang up along UK beaches in the 1960s: ‘These volunteer groups were the pioneers of beach safety, introducing rescue boards, surf craft skills, and a strong sense of teamwork long before lifeguarding became an RNLI service. When the RNLI launched its own lifeguard programme, it built

With 25 years of experience, innovation and expertise, we’ve changed too. The kit our lifeguards use, funded entirely by donations from kind supporters, has had some major upgrades. While the core equipment remains the same, with tubes, rescue boards and radios, the quality and performance of lifeguard kit continues to improve. In 2010, the RNLI began its partnership with Helly Hansen, offering our lifeguards bespoke, safe and protective uniform. With all this change, one thing remains true ... red and yellow never goes out of style.

... AND NOW

Lifeguard kit and vehicles of today, with advances in technology and style

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INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION New recruits training with rescue boards at El Tico Beach, Jersey

Every year, the RNLI recruits for new lifeguards up and down the coast. You can apply to be an RNLI lifeguard from the age of 16, so how do you acquire the skills and knowledge needed from such a young age? The RNLI relies heavily on young and engaged lifesavers from community nippers and surf lifesaving clubs around the coast. Martyn, who is now an RNLI lifeguard superviser, says: ‘We go into the surf lifesaving clubs prior to the season starting. On our selection days, we try to include as many young people from these clubs as we possibly can. We nurture, train, and coach them, knowing if they have a lasting interest, we hopefully will retain that interest for a future career at the RNLI.’ You can listen to more about the RNLI’s work with young people and nippers clubs from Alice Alford-Higgins, from Weymouth, in episode 1 of the We Are Lifeguards podcast.

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Listen now at RNLI.org/WeAreLifeguards or wherever you get your podcasts

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor and volunteer crew member Alice Alford-Higgins

FEATURE Finn and Ollie Sanderson, brothers who keep watch across the south-west coast of England, from Cornwall to Dorset

The Leigh siblings Josh, Katy, Abbie and Tom – showing the best things come in fours on the Cornish coast

IN THE BLOOD In our long history of lifeboats, we’ve had generations of families joining the crew. But it turns out that lifeguarding runs in the family too ...

Martha Dixon and her daughter Rosa Davies encourage other mums and daughters to give lifeguarding a go

Father and daughter duo – Brent and Vivi Mayman lifeguard in the north east of England

Lifeguarding sisters Daisy and Alice Davies grew up around the sea, and always aspired to be lifeguards

If you want to find out how to become an RNLI lifeguard yourself, or know of somebody who might be interested, head to lifesavingjobs.RNLI.org/become-a-lifeguard. Words: Charlotte Hill. Photos: Andrew Jamieson, RNLI/(Peter Hancock, Charlotte Hill, Annabelle Spiers, Greg Spray, Nathan Williams), Shutterstock

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SHELF LIFE Get lost in maritime misadventures, curl up with historical fiction or plan your perfect voyage Reviews: Becci Jewell, Melissa Boyle, Nikki McMullen and Richard ‘Bill’ James

Double Hyenas and Lazarus Birds

EDITOR’S PICK

by Charles Hood

Fortunately, Charles Hood’s devotion to seabirds outweighs his fear of water. Expecting every trip to be his last, he embarks on repeated voyages into the vast Pacific Ocean where albatross cut and wheel above the waves and tropic birds plunge after fish and squid. Along the way, he retraces his father’s service during the Second World War, seeking to understand the man who, like the sea, he both loved and feared. Hood writes with clarity, compassion and humour about the creatures he encounters, his maritime misadventures and the complexities of human nature, making Double Hyenas and Lazarus Birds a book to treasure. Published by Heyday | Price: £14.99/€17.99

Shipwreck by Carl Douglas and Björn Hagberg Discover nearly 100 historic photographs of shipwrecks along Britain’s south coast, taken by four generations of the Gibson family. An expertly curated selection from the archive held by the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, this is the largest-ever published collection of these outstanding photographs. Text by Diver Carl Douglas and Marine Archaeologist Björn Hagberg accompanies the imagery, taking you on a moving journey back through time. In the days of sailing ships, the waters off the south-west coast were among the most treacherous in the world. This book showcases the remarkable efforts to save lives during a fascinating era of seafaring history. Published by Max Strom Price: £35 (hardback) 30 Lifeboat autumn 2026

Published by The Book Guild Ltd Price: £9.99/€13.99

Absent Lives

Killing Harry Shaw

by Rebecca Pells

by WH Bowers-Elliot

Educated and independent, Anita didn’t want to marry. Until, that is, she met Elmore. Two years later, with war raging in Europe, the newlywed Mr and Mrs Pells and their baby son were on the RMS Lusitania when a torpedo tore through her hull. Over 1,000 lives were lost. Many more were shattered. In Absent Lives, Rebecca Pells shares the story of Anita’s life. Whether you’re drawn to historical fiction, inspired by tales of remarkable resilience, or are curious about the author’s connection to this incredible saga, Absent Lives will enthral you.

Harry Shaw is skippering his yacht Ariana along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. All seems peaceful until he suddenly feels uneasy – and the tension immediately builds. This fictional but thrilling tale about the sinister aspects of digital progress is filled with unexpected twists and turns. It will leave you with a pervading sense of unease, inviting you to contemplate our fate with technology, mass surveillance and loss of privacy. It’s an exciting story, well written and researched, and thought provoking. It should appeal to anyone interested in boating, cruising and simply loving the sea, in all its moods.

Cornell’s World Voyage Planner by Jimmy and Ivan Cornell

Published by Adlard Coles Price: £35

Planning a sailing adventure? In this fully revised fourth edition of World Voyage Planner, Jimmy Cornell and his son Ivan share their wealth of experience of circumnavigating the globe. They cover everything you need for a successful, safe long-distance voyage, from hatching a plan to successfully completing it. You’ll find invaluable advice, such as services available in all major sailing hubs and suggestions for alternative routes. This detailed guide is handily illustrated with pilot charts and maps, alongside photography that’ll have you itching to set sail. It’s a must-have for aspiring and seasoned sailors alike.

Self published Price: £9

These books are available at all good bookshops and online.

Looking for more? Browse our brilliant range of books at RNLI Shop. You’ll find delicious recipes, tales of bravery, and stories to inspire adventure.

shop.RNLI.org/books

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Friends of the RNLI

A major navigation system upgrade is on its way – thanks to Raymarine and our lifeboat volunteers The RNLI is installing a state-of-the-art Raymarine navigation system on our lifeboats. RNLI crew members have been involved from the start. The volunteers are helping to shape the new Raymarine systems and they’re carrying out sea trials and capsize testing. The changes will make it safer for our crews, giving them better access to vital charts when out on search and rescue missions. RNLI Chief Engineer and Technical Director Ross Barraclough says: ‘The new Raymarine system will give our crews improved situational awareness, a simplified method of operation and a digital platform that can adapt as new technologies emerge.’ Crews on the Shannon class and Atlantic 85 lifeboats will be the first to benefit from the new Raymarine technology. Then, after more testing and development, it’ll be rolled out to the rest of the fleet.

Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams

Puzzle time Wordsearch Can you find the 10 qualities often found in RNLI crew and lifeguards? Which of the personality traits do you share with them? X

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B O T T OM ’S UP

BRAVE CALM CARING COMMITTED

Photo: Stephen Duncombe

V

What sort of RNLI boat is being righted here, during capsize training?

DETERMINED FRIENDLY HELPFUL HONEST KIND SELFLESS

A) Y boat B) D class C) Boarding boat

(Answer on page 41.)

Start your day with a hot buffet or continental breakfast from Riggers, our waterfront restaurant.

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Wake up to breathtaking views over Holes Bay and embrace the crisp mornings from your cosy Harbour View room.

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PARKING

Enjoy the seaside air as you explore the harbour town of Poole or the stunning Jurassic coastline. Then, as the nights draw in, watch the sun set over the water with a warming beverage or tipple from the Slipway Café Bar. Savour every lifesaving moment, knowing your stay is supporting our brave lifeboat volunteers this autumn – and all year round. *Price based on single person occupancy **Please book your free car parking in advance

BOOK YOUR S TAY T O D AY Scan the QR code or visit

RNLI.org/StayCollege Email reception@rnli.org.uk or call 0300 300 7654. Find us at RNLI College, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. Photos: Stephen Duncombe, RNLI/Nathan Williams

LAUNCHES

Thank you – you are the force behind the launches listed on these pages. Check out the recent action at your favourite lifeboat station and crack the code to the letters/numbers with the handy key opposite

2,103 RNLI RESCUE CRAFT LAUNCHES 1 March to 31 May 2026 The launches listed here are those for which returns had been received at the RNLI Support Centre and processed by 23 June 2026.

Fowey D class Olive Three (D-817) being launched by davit (crane)

A

ABERDEEN D-830: Mar 13,23, Apr 5 ON1248 (17-24): Mar 13,23, Apr 5,9 ABERDOVEY B-896: May 18 ABERSOCH B-886: Apr 5 B-929: May 19 ABERYSTWYTH A-78: Apr 2, May 26 B-937: Mar 14,23, Apr 2, May 26 ACHILL ISLAND ON1240 (14-28): Apr 10,23, May 18,29 ALDEBURGH B-949: Mar 24

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ALDERNEY ON1245 (14-29): Mar 20, May 6,29(x2) AMBLE D-867: Mar 3,31, May 18, 23,27,29 ON1323 (13-16): May 6,7, 19,27 ANGLE ON1291 (16-11): Mar 11, 21, Apr 1,6(x2),12,13,14, 19,24(x2),25, May 6,14,15, 16,21(x2),24,25,27 ANSTRUTHER D-802: Apr 8,13 ON1354 (13-47): Apr 13,14, May 15,19,23,28,29

APPLEDORE B-861: Mar 6,31, Apr 18,19, May 2,13,27(x2),28 D-771: Apr 25, May 12,13 ON1296 (16-16): Apr 27, May 8,27 B ARAN ISLANDS ON1217 (17-06): Mar 1,3, 31, Apr 13, May 1,2,3,7,14, 16,26 ARBROATH B-954: Mar 27,28, Apr 14, 22, May 15,19 D-892: Mar 27, Apr 28, May 19 ARKLOW ON1360 (13-53): Mar 21,31, Apr 29, May 24

ARRAN B-876: Mar 29, May 4,8,17 ARRANMORE ON1244 (17-22): Mar 8, 14(x2),15, Apr 11,18,19, May 28,29 BALLYCOTTON ON1205 (14-07): May 18 BALLYGLASS ON1237 (17-17): May 15 BALTIMORE ON1302 (16-22): Mar 1, Apr 24, May 5(x2),10,24,29 BANGOR (CO DOWN) B-944: Apr 5,18,27,29, May 21,24,25,26(x2),27

BARMOUTH D-814: May 2,25(x4),27(x3) ON1337 (13-30): Apr 29 BARRA ISLAND ON1230 (17-12): Mar 15 BARROW D-866: Mar 21,22, Apr 8,19, May 17 BARRY DOCK D-820: Mar 23, Apr 7,8, May 25,26,27 ON1358 (13-51): Mar 12, Apr 2,5,8,13, May 13 BEAUMARIS B-838: Mar 8,27,31, Apr 4,6, May 3,8,10,12, 23(x2),25,28(x3)

LAUNCHES

C

BEMBRIDGE D-778: Mar 2,5,28,31, Apr 25,29 D-912: May 24,28 ON1297 (16-17): Apr 10, May 3,4,7,24,26 BERWICK-UPON-TWEED B-940: May 28 D-900: Mar 22, May 27,30 BLACKPOOL B-867: Apr 2,23, May 15,23, 25,26,27,29,30 D-862: Mar 4, Apr 2,6,7, 14,27, May 3,29(x2) D-864: Mar 4, Apr 14, May 25(x2),26,29,30 BLYTH B-923: Apr 8 D-878: Apr 8 BORTH D-893: Mar 23, May 18, 27,29 BRIDLINGTON D-906: May 9,21,23,25 ON1329 (13-22): Mar 2, Apr 2,29, May 25 BRIGHTON B-852: Mar 11, Apr 19,30, May 9(x2),12,13,17,26(x2) BROUGHTY FERRY D-834: Mar 16,22,28, Apr 8,14,22,24, May 5,10, 17,29,31 ON1252 (14-31): Mar 16,22, Apr 8, May 5,17,29,31(x2) BUCKIE ON1268 (17-37): Mar 19,23, May 20,21,22,25 BUDE D-826: Mar 16, Apr 20,27, May 2,8 BUNDORAN B-834: May 26(x2),27 BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH B-849: Mar 4, Apr 17,20(x2) D-807: Apr 20 BURNHAM-ON-SEA B-914: Mar 20(x2),21, Apr 5, May 14 D-801: Mar 18,21, Apr 26 BURRY PORT B-915: Apr 6,9, May 11, 24(x3),25 D-882: Mar 6,14,25, Apr 9(x2),29, May 24(x3),26 CALSHOT B-860: Mar 15,17,21,30, Apr 6,8, May 9,25(x2) D-880: Apr 4, May 25(x2) D-887: Mar 15 CAMPBELTOWN D D-870: May 9 ON1241 (17-19): Apr 5, May 18

CARDIGAN B-871: Mar 11,31, May 5,9, 17,24 D-845: Mar 31, May 9,24 CARRYBRIDGE B-904: Apr 6, May 23, 24(x2), 27 CASTLETOWNBERE ON1277 (17-44): Mar 20 CHISWICK E-07: Apr 20(x2),21,22(x2) E-08: Mar 14(x5),15(x3), May 10(x2),16,17,20(x2), 23(x2),24,25,28,29 E-09: Mar 3(x2),5,6,17,24, 26,28(x2),29,30(x2), Apr 1(x2),2(x2),8,10,11, 13,24,27,29,30(x2), May 1(x2),5,9,12 E CLACTON-ON-SEA D-849: Mar 2,16(x2),18, 27, Apr 9, May 1,3,6,7,12, 21,26,28,29 ON1311 (13-04): May 2,23 ON1359 (13-52): Mar 3, 13,29 CLEETHORPES D-889: Mar 5,18,19(x4),22, Apr 7,12,19,25, May 2(x2), 21,22(x2),23,24,25(x2),26, 27,29(x2),30 CLIFDEN B-913: Apr 14, May 16 ON1350 (13-43): May 16 CLOVELLY B-872: Apr 17,25, May 27 CONWY D-898: Mar 14,21, Apr 1, 19,20,27,29, May 3,13,17, 27(x3),28,29 COURTMACSHERRY HARBOUR ON1352 (13-45): May 10(x2) F COWES B-859: Mar 7,25, Apr 13,15, 16,19,29,30, May 9(x2),16, 30,31 CRICCIETH A-76: Apr 21, May 25 B-938: Mar 18, Apr 21,30, May 16,25 CROMER D-868: May 16 ON1287 (16-07): Apr 4, May 11,25 CROSSHAVEN B-892: Mar 2,3, Apr 20,24, May 13 CULLERCOATS B-935: Mar 20, Apr 2,12,18, May 17,18,23,25(x2),26,31 DART B-931: Mar 22, May 8,25 D-838: Apr 2,5,25, May 25 DONAGHADEE ON1225 (14-21): Apr 2, May 26

DOVER ON1220 (17-09): Mar 2,22, Apr 7,22,26 ON1278 (17-45): May 14, 25,27(x2) DUN LAOGHAIRE D-865: Mar 7,16,28, Apr 6, 18(x2),26,27, May 10, 26(x2),27 ON1200 (14-05): Mar 16, Apr 18,25, May 23 DUNBAR D-844: May 15 ON1266 (14-35): May 15 DUNGENESS ON1309 (13-02): Mar 13,14, Apr 7, May 2 DUNMORE EAST ON1348 (13-41): May 12,25 EASTBOURNE D-869: Mar 3,15,25, Apr 2 D-876: Mar 28, Apr 13, 21(x2), 22,28,29(x2),30, May 1(x2),3,6(x2),10,11 D-909: May 19,20,22,23,28 ON1197 (14-02): Mar 1,15, Apr 1,8,13,29, May 3,19,20 ENNISKILLEN B-918: Mar 19, Apr 23,25, May 9,15,24(x3) EXMOUTH D-805: Mar 10,13,20,23,24, Apr 30, May 3,12,14,15,24, 28,31 D-887: Mar 26,31, Apr 1,16 ON1310 (13-03): Mar 10, Apr 2, May 10,11 EYEMOUTH D-774: Mar 9, Apr 2,8,16 D-877: Apr 26, May 30 ON1336 (13-29): Mar 9,24, Apr 2, May 23 FALMOUTH B-916: Mar 14,19,30, May 14,24,27,31 ON1363 (13-56): Mar 14, 15,29, Apr 8, May 17 FENIT ON1239 (14-27): Mar 19, Apr 10,19, May 24 FETHARD D-819: May 15,22 FILEY B-928: Mar 28,31(x2), Apr 2,8, May 25 D-859: Mar 28,31(x2), Apr 29, May 6,23,24 FISHGUARD D-789: Mar 22, May 9,14 ON1198 (14-03): May 2 FLAMBOROUGH B-820: Apr 2,13,18, May 30 FLEETWOOD D-853: May 10,14,15,17, 26,30 ON1321 (13-14): May 26

CRACK THE CODE

Use this simple key to identify the lifeboat/craft in action D CLASS

B CLASS SHEENA LOUISE

B-000

D-000

B-###

D-###

Rigid inflatable, launches from a trolley

Inflatable, launches from a trolley or davit

E CLASS

INSHORE RESCUE HOVERCRAFT

E-##

H-###

Lies afloat on the River Thames

Launches from dry land onto mud/sand/water

SHANNON

TAMAR

ON#### (13-##)

ON#### (16-##)

Launches from the beach or lies afloat

Operates from a slipway or lies afloat

SEVERN

TRENT

ON#### (17-##)

ON#### (14-##)

Lies afloat and handles all weathers

Lies afloat and operates offshore

ADDITIONAL RESCUE CRAFT: A-### Inshore rescue boat RWC-### Rescue watercraft BB-### Boarding boat Y-### Y boat X-### X boat XP-### XP boat

You power our lifesaving The cost of lifeboats varies hugely: • D class – over £100,000/€115,000 • B class – over £320,000/€365,000 • Shannon class – over £2.7M/€3.1M. This is what it costs on average to build the lifeboat, deliver it, and make it ready for service. Lifeboat autumn 2026 35

G

H

FLINT D-795: Mar 6,9, May 2,5 FOWEY B-956: Mar 14(x2),15, Apr 3,10, May 12,28 D-817: Mar 14,22 D-887: May 4,5,6,24,28, 29,30 FRASERBURGH ON1259 (14-34): Mar 23, May 28 GALWAY B-853: Mar 5,22,26(x2), Apr 1,6,15, May 1,30,31 GIRVAN ON1330 (13-23): Mar 14, Apr 25, May 23,29 I GRAVESEND B-827: Mar 6,11, Apr 9,11, 20,22, May 1,3,6,7(x2),9, 18(x2),20 B-863: May 25,27,28 GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON B-925: Mar 12(x2),24,26,27, Apr 6,13,18, May 8,13,19 ON1208 (14-10): May 17 HARTLEPOOL K B-881: Mar 1,11,13, Apr 16, 19,28,30, May 12,14,16,23, 24(x2),25 ON1361 (13-54): Mar 11,13, Apr 16, May 1,24,25 HARWICH B-907: Mar 2,29, Apr 3,7, 16,24(x2), May 9,18,20,24, 27,30,31(x2) ON1202 (17-03): May 24 HASTINGS D-835: Apr 22, May 24 ON1335 (13-28): Apr 9, May 1,3,29 HAYLING ISLAND B-830: Apr 12,18,26,29, 30(x2), May 1,2,16(x2), 23,28 D-779: Mar 7, Apr 18,26, May 2,16,24(x2),28(x2) HELENSBURGH B-903: Mar 7,11, Apr 15, 17,19,25, May 1,8,12,18,22, 24,30 HELVICK HEAD B-874: Mar 16, May 6 HOLYHEAD L D-791: Mar 21, Apr 7,30, May 1,6,9,11,24,28 ON1223 (14-19): Apr 30, May 1,11,17,24,30 HORTON AND PORT EYNON D-824: Mar 6,25, Apr 19,25, May 1,2,14,26,28,29

36 Lifeboat autumn 2026

HOWTH D-796: Mar 14, Apr 25, May 8,10(x2),24,27,28,31 ON1215 (14-17): Mar 20, Apr 4,13,14,28, May 7,14,28 HOYLAKE H-005: Apr 21,24, May 5,6, 8,29 H-007: Mar 4 ON1313 (13-06): Mar 20 HUMBER ON1278 (17-45): Mar 18,21, 22, Apr 14 HUNSTANTON B-848: Apr 9, May 24,28(x2) H-003: May 2,24 ILFRACOMBE D-863: Mar 7, Apr 21, May 9 ON1316 (13-09): Apr 21, May 3 INVERGORDON ON1344 (13-37): Mar 7, May 7,18,21,22,30 ISLAY ON1219 (17-08): Mar 19, Apr 5, May 10,16 KESSOCK B-873: Mar 8,18,27, Apr 8, May 12,22 KILKEEL B-812: Mar 16,22,30, Apr 23 KILMORE QUAY ON1298 (16-18): Mar 8,14, Apr 26, May 16,18,25 KINGHORN B-836: Mar 17,18,20, 21(x2),22,27,31, May 5,18,20,25 B-932: Mar 5,7,8,9 KINSALE B-909: Mar 6, Apr 10, May 2,23 KIPPFORD D-854: May 28 M KIRKCUDBRIGHT B-814: Mar 9, Apr 27,29, May 23,26,27,29,31 KIRKWALL ON1260 (17-31): Mar 18, Apr 12, May 6 KYLE OF LOCHALSH B-856: Apr 16, May 20,21 LARGS B-898: Apr 7,13,22,26,30, May 8,10,14,15,27(x2) LARNE D-783: May 25(x2) LERWICK ON1221 (17-10): Mar 29, Apr 21,22, May 19,20 LITTLE AND BROAD HAVEN D-899: May 28(x2)

LITTLEHAMPTON MOELFRE B-891: Apr 3,9,11,12,15, D-825: May 29 May 1,23,24,25,31 ON1305 (16-25): Mar 14,27, D-902: Mar 19, Apr 4,9,17, May 23,27 May 9,27,31 MONTROSE LITTLESTONE-ON-SEA D-897: Mar 5, Apr 20, B-922: Apr 1,7,24, May 14, May 18 24,26(x2) ON1328 (13-21): Apr 24 LLANDUDNO MORECAMBE D-793: Mar 5,16, May 1,4, D-812: May 26,27 13,20,25,29 D-855: Mar 21,24 ON1325 (13-18): Mar 14, H-002: Mar 8,14 Apr 27, May 17 H-007: Apr 19, May 28 LOCH NESS MUDEFORD B-902: Mar 13, Apr 20,26, B-948: Mar 1,4,8(x2),9,20, May 28 23, Apr 5,11(x3),27,28,29, LOCHINVER May 12,18 N NEW BRIGHTON ON1271 (17-40): Apr 24, May 9,20 B-941: Mar 12,15,20,23, LONGHOPE May 6(x2),25(x2),29 ON1284 (16-05): Mar 10 NEW QUAY (CEREDIGION) LOOE D-886: Mar 19, May 25, B-894: Mar 14, Apr 8 26,29 D-872: Mar 4,14, Apr 8, NEWBIGGIN May 26 B-864: Mar 3, May 19,23 LOUGH DERG NEWCASTLE (CO DOWN) B-911: Apr 5,10,17 B-955: Mar 16, Apr 23, LOUGH REE May 26 B-920: Apr 7,15, May 8, D-908: May 9 11,18 NEWHAVEN LOUGH SWILLY D-890: Apr 28, May 12, B-958: Apr 21, May 25 27,28 LOWESTOFT ON1243 (17-21): Mar 1, ON1311 (13-04): Mar 2,23, Apr 1,2, May 13 31, Apr 3 NEWQUAY (CORNWALL) ON1312 (13-05): Apr 17, B-936: Mar 6,30, Apr 10, May 4,8,15 18(x2), May 1,2,7,25,27(x2) LYME REGIS D-907: Apr 10,18, May 1,8, B-857: Mar 2(x2), Apr 2,6, 24,25,26,28 16,19,23, May 17,24 NORTH BERWICK LYMINGTON D-891: Mar 4,22(x2), Apr 2, B-882: Mar 14,24, May 5, May 17,22,23,24(x2) O OBAN 13,16,22 LYTHAM ST ANNES ON1357 (13-50): Mar 3, D-800: Mar 4,7, Apr 6,7,16, Apr 1,15,26,30, May 3,13, 18,21, May 2,25,28 17,28,29(x2),30,31 P PADSTOW MABLETHORPE B-887: Mar 21, Apr 21, ON1283 (16-04): Mar 28, May 18 Apr 19,24,27, May 1,4,26 D-790: Apr 6, May 17,18 PEEL MACDUFF ON1342 (13-35): Apr 30, B-933: Mar 21, Apr 10, May 29 May 7,12,19,25,27,28 PENARTH MALLAIG B-839: Apr 1,8,26(x2), ON1250 (17-26): Mar 2, May 27(x2),28 Apr 7,13,26,28, May 5,15, D-822: Mar 18,24, Apr 30, Q 17,20,25,28,30(x2) May 23 MARGATE PENLEE B-930: Apr 16(x2), May 24 B-893: Mar 9, Apr 9, D-841: May 24,26(x2),31 May 10,23,25,26 MINEHEAD ON1265 (17-36): Mar 2,31, B-939: Apr 16, May 15 Apr 19,23, May 10 R D-847: Apr 16, May 15 PETERHEAD ON1282 (16-03): Apr 1, May 1,25

PLYMOUTH B-908: Mar 4,9,11,15,18,21, 29,31, Apr 2,3,6(x2),8(x2), 11,18,22,23,25,26,27,29, May 4,14(x2),20,21,24(x3), 25(x3),26 ON1264 (17-35): Mar 9,14, 15,21,28, Apr 3,6,18(x2), 23(x2),25(x2),27,29, May 23,24,25(x2),26 POOLE B-826: Mar 4,6,11, Apr 19, May 26 D-804: Mar 4,22, Apr 4,19, May 2,10,27,28(x2) PORT ISAAC D-843: Mar 10, May 28 PORT ST MARY D-873: May 25 ON1213 (14-15): Mar 7, May 3,16,17 PORT TALBOT D-848: Mar 3,16, Apr 8,19, 25, May 11,25,26,27 PORTAFERRY B-833: May 12,25 PORTHCAWL B-832: Mar 4, Apr 13,22, 23(x2),26,30, May 5,12,18 D-861: Apr 22,26, May 5 PORTHDINLLAEN ON1290 (16-10): Mar 18, Apr 10,26, May 9,25,27 PORTISHEAD B-845: Mar 3,29, Apr 5,8(x2), May 21(x2),22,28 PORTPATRICK ON1332 (13-25): Apr 27, May 24 PORTREE ON1214 (14-16): Mar 5,10,17, Apr 26, May 3 ON1246 (14-30): May 18, 21,27 PORTRUSH D-871: Apr 8,25,30, May 4,6,27 ON1257 (17-30): Mar 7, May 2,4,27 PORTSMOUTH B-846: Mar 26, Apr 10, 21,29, May 9(x2),25 D-815: May 25,27,29,31(x2) D-850: Mar 8,26,29, Apr 20,30(x2) QUEENSFERRY B-851: Mar 4,6(x2),8,15,16, 22,27, Apr 1,11,18(x2), 19(x2),21,22,28, May 1,3,4, 5,16(x2),17,18,23(x2),25, 28,29(x2) RAMSEY ON1349 (13-42): Mar 13, May 26,31

LAUNCHES

S

RAMSGATE B-878: Apr 4, May 25(x2), 30,31 ON1293 (16-13): Apr 1,7 ON1303 (16-23): Apr 17,28, May 13 REDCAR B-858: Mar 18,30, Apr 5, May 2,13,19,27,31 D-786: Mar 22, Apr 5, May 2,19,22 RHYL D-903: Mar 11, Apr 6,28, May 26,27(x2),29 ON1341 (13-34): Mar 20, Apr 28 RNLI SUPPORT CENTRE ON1301 (16-21): Apr 13 ROCK D-905: Mar 15,21, Apr 19 ROSSLARE HARBOUR ON1276 (17-43): Mar 2,21(x2), Apr 27,29 RYE HARBOUR B-900: Apr 13, May 24(x2) SALCOMBE B-905: Apr 2,27, May 16, 17,18,25(x2),27 ON1289 (16-09): Apr 2,8, May 8,24,31 SCARBOROUGH D-856: Mar 15, Apr 2,5(x2), 19, May 22,23,24 ON1322 (13-15): Mar 31, Apr 5,8 SEAHOUSES D-828: Mar 18, Apr 15, May 24(x2),26(x2) ON1343 (13-36): Mar 19, May 8 SELSEY D-827: Mar 7,9,19, Apr 7, 8,19, May 23(x2),26,29 ON1319 (13-12): Apr 19 ON1327 (13-20): Mar 6,9, Apr 1,2 SENNEN COVE ON1294 (16-14): Apr 24,27, May 7(x2),12 SHEERNESS D-799: Mar 3, Apr 1,5,9,23, May 7,9,16,22,30(x2) ON1345 (13-38): May 24(x2) ON1347 (13-40): Mar 17, May 2 SHOREHAM HARBOUR D-784: Mar 3,21, Apr 5,29, May 12,16,17,22(x2), 26,27(x3) ON1295 (16-15): Mar 21, Apr 4,22,30, May 11,13,29 SKEGNESS D-842: May 17,25(x3),29 D-906: Mar 11,23,29, Apr 6 ON1324 (13-17): May 23 SKERRIES B-866: Mar 23, Apr 25,29, May 7,23,25

SLIGO BAY T B-888: Mar 14, Apr 12,23, 28, May 10 SOUTHEND-ON-SEA B-885: Mar 27 B-926: May 2,26 D-818: May 20 D-904: Mar 21, Apr 8,16, May 23(x2),24(x6),25(x2) H-004: Mar 28, May 21, 24(x2),25(x3),26(x2),29 SOUTHWOLD B-868: Apr 1,16, May 31 ST AGNES D-787: Apr 13,26,27 ST BEES B-831: Mar 14, Apr 26, May 13 ST CATHERINE B-841: Mar 20 ST DAVIDS D-840: May 9,27 ON1306 (16-26): Apr 6, May 18,27,28,31 ST HELIER B-934: Apr 10, May 25 ON1292 (16-12): Mar 18,19, Apr 5, May 28 ST IVES D-803: Mar 7,15,16,17,22, 31, Apr 17, May 7,10,11 ON1318 (13-11): Mar 6,16, 17,22,31, May 7,10,11 ST MARY’S ON1262 (17-33): Mar 1, May 9,19,25 ST PETER PORT B-943: May 29 B-946: Mar 15,20,28, Apr 7, May 27 ON1203 (17-04): Mar 15, Apr 5,23, May 25 ON1254 (17-27): May 7,10, 11,15,18 STAITHES AND RUNSWICK B-897: Mar 27 STONEHAVEN B-919: Mar 23, Apr 1,9 STRANRAER D-833: Mar 7 STROMNESS ON1236 (17-16): Mar 10,20, Apr 20,29 SUNDERLAND B-945: Apr 9,30, May 10, 15,24 D-879: Apr 30, May 15, 25(x2) SWANAGE D-812: Mar 4 D-884: Mar 17, Apr 1,3,20, May 21 ON1319 (13-12): May 30 ON1320 (13-13): Mar 1,4, 17, Apr 1,3,8,14, May 16,21, 22,27(x2)

TEDDINGTON D-785: Mar 4,9(x2),13,14, 15,16,18,19,20,24,29,30,31, Apr 4,5(x2),7,8,13,20, May 23 D-874: Mar 9(x2),13,19, Apr 13, May 14,23 TEIGNMOUTH V B-947: Mar 17, Apr 3,5,6, 13, May 15,21,22 TENBY D-858: Mar 6,7, Apr 13, W 27(x2),29, May 3,4,19,22, 24(x3),28(x2) ON1281 (16-02): Mar 6(x2),7 ON1293 (16-13): Apr 27, May 1,23,24,27,28,30,31 THE LIZARD ON1299 (16-19): May 12(x2),13 ON1300 (16-20): May 21(x2) THE MUMBLES D-774: May 24,28(x3),31 D-895: Mar 3,18,21,22,30, Apr 15,16, May 3,4 ON1307 (16-27): Mar 3,6, 25, Apr 15,20,26, May 4, 28(x2) THE RNLI COLLEGE B-906: May 27 THURSO ON1273 (17-42): Mar 4,26, May 9,13 TIGHNABRUAICH B-862: Mar 8, Apr 28 TOBERMORY ON1270 (17-39): Apr 20,23, May 11,14,18(x2) TORBAY D-857: Mar 1, Apr 8,16(x2), May 14,16,24,27(x2),28 ON1255 (17-28): Apr 10,28, May 14,18,21,27,28,31 TOWER E-07: Mar 1(x2),2(x4),8,11, 13(x2),14,16(x4),17(x2),18, 19,25,26,27, May 3(x2), 5(x3),8(x2),9(x2),10(x2), 11(x4),12,14,15(x2),18 E-09: May 20 E-10: Mar 23,30, Apr 2(x3), 3,4(x3),5(x6),7, 8,9(x3), 11(x2),12(x2),18(x2),19, 21(x2),22,23,24,25,26(x2), 28,29,30(x2), May 20,21(x2), 23,24,27(x5),28,29(x2), 30(x4),31 TRAMORE D-781: May 30 TREARDDUR BAY B-847: Apr 7,19,23, May 2, 12,27 D-809: Apr 19,30 D-885: May 27 TROON D-821: Apr 15, May 17,30 ON1362 (13-55): Apr 22, May 22,26,28

TYNEMOUTH D-829: Mar 9,31, Apr 8,12, 30, May 3,4,7,9,12(x2),13, 17(x2),18,20,21,26,31(x2) ON1263 (17-34): Mar 3, Apr 14, May 4,7,13(x2),16, 17,18,21,31 VALENTIA BB-742: May 28 ON1218 (17-07): Mar 19, Apr 15, May 22 WALMER B-899: May 23,31 B-950: Mar 15, Apr 7,28 D-794: Mar 3,19, Apr 7,22, May 3,26,27,31 WALTON AND FRINTON D-798: Mar 30, Apr 3 WELLS D-797: Mar 17,18,21(x2), Apr 5,7,18,25, May 14,24, 26,28,29,30,31 ON1353 (13-46): Mar 2, May 28 WEST KIRBY D-883: Mar 9, May 5,18, 25(x2),28,29 WEST MERSEA B-879: Mar 3,24,29, Apr 8, 12(x2), May 17,27(x2),31 WESTON-SUPER-MARE B-875: May 27 B-929: Mar 15, Apr 2,26, May 4 D-832: Mar 15, Apr 2,26, May 4,5,25

Y

WEXFORD D-782: Mar 30, Apr 27, May 30 WEYMOUTH B-917: Mar 1,6,14,15, Apr 4,24,28(x2), May 2,3, 9(x2),24,25 ON1261 (17-32): Mar 15,27, Apr 24,28(x2) WHITBY D-810: Mar 9,12, Apr 16,17, 19, May 10,30 ON1356 (13-49): Mar 21 WHITSTABLE B-877: Mar 7,10,22,31, Apr 7,8,14,18, May 3,25,26, 28,29(x2),30(x2) WICK ON1224 (14-20): Apr 3,4, 14,30, May 13 WICKLOW D-806: Mar 20,21,25, May 24 ON1340 (13-33): Mar 20(x2),21(x2),25, May 1,9,24,26 WITHERNSEA D-837: Mar 14, May 21,25 WORKINGTON D-901: Mar 21, May 4,19 ON1326 (13-19): Mar 21,27, May 4,5,15,19,26 YARMOUTH ON1249 (17-25): Mar 24,26, Apr 3, May 10,12,16 YOUGHAL B-890: Mar 2, Apr 19,27, May 16

Champagne flows at Conwy, over the lifeboat

NAMING CEREMONIES D-907, Richmond, Newquay, 14 March 2026 D-898, Enid and John Hislop, Conwy, 11 April 2026 D-892, Mintybell, Arbroath, 9 May 2026 ON1354 (13-47), Robert and Catherine Steen (pictured overleaf), Anstruther, 16 May 2026

Lifeboat autumn 2026 37

Launching on a special day – the naming ceremony for the Shannon class lifeboat Robert and Catherine Steen, 16 May 2026. Mr Donald Steen, a relative of Jessie Steen who named the lifeboat after her mother and father, handed the lifeboat into the

38 Lifeboat autumn summer 2026 2026

care of the RNLI. The lifeboat is a Launch a Memory lifeboat, which means the vessel has more than 5,000 names of loved ones on the hull. For news of the next Launch a Memory lifeboat, head to RNLI.org/ThamesLAM.

Photos: Elope with Leon, Nicholas Leach, RNLI/Nigel Millard

I name this boat

LIFESAVER

Tom Kay How Tom, founder of clothing brand Finisterre, is helping to save lives at sea

Photo: Finisterre

Why is the sea such a big part of your life? I spent much of my childhood on the Norfolk coast, and I remember the sound of the maroons going off – the sound that meant the lifeboat crew would be launching. I was always in or around boats, and familiar with the stories around RNLI legend Henry Blogg. I was an avid surfer, and studied biology with a marine focus, so I’ve always had an affinity for the sea.

Why did you decide to volunteer as an RNLI crew member? After becoming a chartered surveyor in London, I realised I needed to be somewhere in keeping with my love of the sea. I needed to get that connection back, so I moved to St Agnes, Cornwall, in 2002 and joined the lifeboat crew not long afterwards, eventually becoming a helm. It seemed like the natural thing to do and I was on the crew for about 20 years.

What is Finisterre and how does it help support the RNLI? We make hardy outdoor wear for life in and around the sea. I started the business around the same time I joined the crew. The RNLI is our oldest partner – we first collaborated back in 2018, and we’ve just renewed our partnership for another 3 years. The RNLI collection includes items inspired by the charity’s lifesaving heritage and our sustainable design ethos. 10% of proceeds go to the charity.

Is Finisterre still based in St Agnes? The Finisterre workshop is a stone’s throw from the lifeboat station, on a clifftop, on the site of an old tin mine. When I was on the crew it only took 2 or 3 minutes for me to run down to the station. Some Finisterre employees are on the crew today, so you could say the tradition has carried on, which is great to see.

Save lives as you shop – visit shop.RNLI.org for the Finisterre range. Lifeboat autumn 2026 39

Special delivery Your letters, posts and pictures

Tribute to my brother

Why I support the RNLI Ever since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated by ships and the sea. From the late 60s I was lucky enough to enjoy One inspiring rescue from 1967: the crew of the St Mary’s Watson class lifeboat and the stricken Braemar summer holidays camping on the Isles of Scilly with my parents and brother. The area has a long history of wreck and rescue. One of my favourite interests was to visit the St Mary’s lifeboat Guy and Clare Hunter at the boathouse to see the boat and read the information board about its exploits. This inspired my interest in the RNLI and later in life I sailed yachts on the Solent with friends. Although we never had any problems, I became an RNLI member. I only sail dinghies on inland waters now, but I still support the wider lifeboat family and its worthy aims. I enjoy reading the Lifeboat and watching the BBC documentaries about the rescues. I admire the grit and determination of the crews as they do their very best to save lives.

40 Lifeboat autumn 2026

ERIK GRAHAM

Family history My grandfather was a brave lifeboat crew member in Tenby, Wales. His name was Josh Richards and he was part of a crew in the early 1970s I believe. I’m just trying to trace any information pertaining to him as I don’t have anything. Can you help?

Photo: RNLI/Beken of Cowes

Editor: Here’s a photo sent in by SHAUN BUCHANAN , who ran the Dublin Marathon in honour of his brother, Paul Buchanan. Shaun set up an RNLI tribute fund and raised more than €9,700 in memory of Paul, who went missing following a tragic kayaking accident. Shaun says: ‘Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and donations.’ He got a personal best in the race, but says that wasn’t the main aim: ‘I was training a lot by the sea, and I’d stop, sit down, and talk to my brother. It wasn’t just about staying fit or getting the miles in, it was about staying close to Paul.’

Laura’s grandfather volunteered at Tenby, on lifeboats including the Watson class Henry Comber Brown

LAURA JONES

Editor: We were able to tell Laura about her grandfather, Joshua Richards, who served at Tenby for 29 years. I found his name on our RNLI website station history pages and, as an RNLI Bronze Medallist, he also featured in the Lifeboat archive (online at LifeboatMagazineArchive.RNLI.org). If you’re researching family history, you can search the archive for free. We have also made some of our crew and service records available free of charge via ancestry.co.uk.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Write to us Were you moved by a rescue story? Do you want to know more about something you’ve read in Lifeboat? We love hearing from you and seeing your photos. Please get in touch with us.

Email the editor at lifeboat@rnli.org.uk Share your stories on social media

My rescue I was rescued in 1977, after getting caught out by a severe gale when sailing back to England from Cherbourg. I still vividly remember the lifeboat arriving through the spray and the skill with which the Yarmouth volunteers handled their vessel in those boiling seas at the Needles. Since then, I’ve built boats on the Thames as part of a long career. My incident didn’t put me off boats! I’ve also been a youth worker with Youth for Christ. I’ve got three children and nine grandchildren, who I’m so proud of. In 2025, our ninth grandchild was born, and our eldest grandchild turned 18. Beautiful moments, but I wouldn’t be here without the RNLI. DAVE TOWNSEND

Photo: RNLI/Harrison Bates

Hand delivered Editor: A big thank you to EVIE, ELIZA AND ARABELLE , who saved up £20 and gave it to the RNLI. While the girls were on holiday in Cornwall, they handed the generous donation in at The Lizard Lifeboat Station.

Dave has vivid memories of being rescued by Yarmouth RNLI, going past the Needles

Puzzle solution (page 32): A. Y BOAT – PART OF THE KIT ONBOARD A TAMAR CLASS LIFEBOAT Lifeboat autumn 2026 41

Your RNLI family The lives and loves of your fellow lifesavers

Following in her footsteps Sam Briggs is a volunteer crew member at Newhaven RNLI, and her son Jake, 16, has hopes of becoming an RNLI lifesaver too – as a lifeguard. Jake says: ‘It’s interesting having a mum who volunteers with the RNLI. You get to hear the stories of the different rescues and learn about the boats. My mum’s RNLI pager has become a very normal sound in our house. ‘I don’t really worry when she goes out on a shout because she’s so resilient. I’ve always seen my mum as brave from when she used to work in A&E, always saving people’s lives.’ Alongside volunteering as crew, Sam works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner. Jake adds: ‘I’m most proud of the amount of skills my mum has. She balances her RNLI volunteer role, her full-time job and still takes care of me.’

Jake’s proud of his lifesaving mum, Sam

42 Lifeboat autumn 2026

Abbie’s now a qualified Master Mariner

On the crest of a wave Congratulations to Hoylake RNLI volunteer Crew Member Abbie Sanders on passing her final Master (Unlimited) exam with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Abbie is now a qualified Master Mariner, meaning she can command merchant navy vessels all around the world. The achievement builds on maritime experience gained through Abbie’s career at sea, most recently as a cruise-liner safety officer. It’s expertise that’s invaluable in saving lives with the RNLI on Hoylake’s all-weather lifeboat and hovercraft. Abbie says: ‘My time with the RNLI has taught me to have the utmost respect for the sea. Remaining calm under pressure, having confidence in decision-making, and drawing on the knowledge and skills of your team are all qualities I have developed through my volunteer role. My confidence in the capabilities of RNLI crews, alongside HM Coastguard, would provide great reassurance in any emergency situation onboard.’

YOUR RNLI FAMILY

Celebrating life Join us in remembering our RNLI family members who have recently passed away

Bill (fourth from left) celebrates 50 years of service with RNLI volunteers, family and friends

A surprise welcome

When Bill Deans and the rest of the Aberdeen all-weather lifeboat crew returned to harbour in March, family and friends were waiting to celebrate his half century of volunteering. ‘I spent a lot of my holidays in Orkney, so the sea was always a big part of life,’ says Bill. But one of his memorable rescues surprisingly came at a caravan park. Flooding on the River Dee meant RNLI volunteers were called inland to assist, and the inshore lifeboat crew worked through the night. The crew smashed their way into one caravan to reach a man trapped inside with a broken leg, while floodwater rose around him. ‘He was stuck on his bed and the mattress was floating,’ Bill recalls. ‘We had to get him out through the window and carry him back to the boat.’ In 2018, Bill was awarded an MBE for his decades of service with the RNLI.

One and only Chiswick RNLI Volunteer Crew Member Stephanie Bigsby is the first female RNLI technician on the Thames, and the only female regional technician throughout the UK and Ireland. ‘I’ve always liked taking things apart and putting them back together again,’ says Stephanie. ‘Growing up I spent a lot of time on a farm, so as a kid I was always fixing tractors. ‘Grandad passed away 2 years ago, Stephanie knows her grandad and he was always so interested in the would be proud of her work I do and really proud of it. Through the RNLI’s Launch a Memory campaign I had the chance to add his name to a lifeboat, so I thought it would be lovely to put his name on the E class lifeboat here. I’m so excited about it because it means we’ll be side by side – just like old times.’ To learn more about Launch a Memory, visit RNLI.org/ThamesLAM.

Peter Binding – April 2026 Second Coxswain and Lifeboat Operations Manager, Barry Dock RNLI Colin Blair – April 2026 RNLI Shop Volunteer, Newhaven Michael Brinton – April 2026 RNLI Deputy Superintendent, East Cowes Elizabeth Carne – June 2026 Shop Volunteer and Fundraiser, Newquay Monica Condliffe – February 2026 Retail Volunteer, Torbay Lifeboat Fundraisers Ken Crowther – December 2025 Former Crew Member and Helm, Ramsgate RNLI Ronnie Delany – March 2026 Vice President, and RNLI Council member Tony Faulkner – November 2025 Chair and Secretary, Mirfield Branch Mark Gibson – March 2026 RNLI Shop Volunteer, Port Talbot Maurice Littlewood – April 2026 Water Safety and Branch Volunteer at Macclesfield Branch, Branch Vice President, Honley and Brockholes Zandra MacKintosh – May 2026 Former Deputy Second Coxswain, Second Mechanic and Helm, Aberdeen RNLI Dr David Phillips – May 2026 Former Lifeboat Medical Adviser, Brighton RNLI Clare Rigg – March 2026 Shop Manager, Fundraiser and Vice-President of Barrow Lifeboat Guild Ann Rogers – April 2026 Chairperson, Brierley Hill and Kingswinford Branch Alan Sharp – April 2026 Lifeboat Press Officer, Llandudno RNLI Jean Shields – January 2026 Chair of Troon Fundraising Branch Barbara Vond – December 2025 Volunteer, Torbay Lifeboat Fundraisers Jim Watt – April 2026 Treasurer, Stewarton Branch Pauline Weatherburn – April 2026 Lifeboat Station Visits Officer and Shop Volunteer, Portishead Photos: Norman Adams – Aberdeen City Council, Sam Briggs, Abbie Sanders, RNLI

Lifeboat autumn 2026 43

GIFT AN

RNLI MEMBERSHIP THIS CHRISTMAS

Photos: RNLI/Nigel Millard

RNLI membership is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone who would love to join a force for good. When you give this thoughtful gift to a loved one, you’ll be giving hope of rescue to those in danger at sea. And together, you’ll be part of our lifesaving family, striving to save every one. Your special gift includes: • RNLI member’s pack, with coastal visits handbook • L ifeboat magazine four times a year, packed with epic rescues • set of postcards • membership card.

T h e per

CHRISTMf ect GIFT AS

Find out more at RNLI.org/GiftMembership or scan this QR code: Your gift is £48/€60 for a whole year. You can also call us on 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland), or +44 1202 663234 (from any other country) on weekdays, 8am–6pm. Please quote ‘GIFT’ when ordering by phone.

LB/09/26