February 28, 2024 - 421 views
Llandudno Lifeboat has an exceptional group of long serving and resolute RNLI volunteers and seagoing crew members.
In the week leading up to the RNLI 200th Anniversary these dedicated volunteers genuinely epitomise the best characteristics of this 200-hundred-year-old national lifesaving charity.
The Five members of crew have a collective and impressive service record of two hundred years and counting. They have all exceeded forty years individual service, which is a remarkable record for any lifeboat station. During the four decades from 1984, lifeboats at Llandudno have launched over 1720 times, saving 211 lives and aiding a total of 1126 people.
Dan Jones MBE and Robin Holden have previously served as Station Coxswain between 1994 and 2011; the other three crew members Nigel Forrest, Dave Roberts, and Keith Charlton continue to fulfil active operational roles both on shore and at sea.
Dan Jones continues to share his experience as a Launching Authority; whilst Robin Holden has the essential training co-ordinator role, passing on his expertise to the new RNLI recruits and keeping the important levels of competence needed from all crew members.
Robin added, "In our time we have witnessed the transition from the open, 7 knot, wooden Oakley Class Lifeboats, where service calls were often long and arduous due to the slow speed of the boats in those days, to the modern 25 knot Shannon Class Lifeboat, with an enclosed wheelhouse that we have today."
Lifeboat Operations Manager Captain Marcus Elliott explained, "This is a remarkable situation which can be seen in many stations across the RNLI. The contribution that Dan, Robin, Davey, Keith, and Nigel have made to the RNLI in Llandudno is beyond measure. All are held in the highest regard; they consistently act as a true inspiration to the other members of crew who are striving to follow in their footsteps.
"The RNLI values reflect the way they work, they continually strive for excellence, they are trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable and have consistently been so throughout their years of outstanding service. In these changing times It is unlikely that we will ever see their like again."
