New Volunteer Coxswain at Falmouth RNLI as Jon Blakeston steps down from the rol

Following Falmouth lifeboat station receiving its new state of the art Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, it was announced that Coxswain Jon Blakeston (affectionately known as JB) was to hand over command to Second Coxswain Luke Wills, moving the station well and truly into a new chapter.

JB continues his service with the charity as Senior Station Technician.

Jon joined the crew over 30 years ago, spending time as inshore lifeboat crew, progressing as helm, before taking on the role as station mechanic. He became Second Coxswain under the command of Mark Pollard, before taking over the reigns fully in February 2015.

Jons first ‘shout’ as Coxswain came in June 2006 and since that time, he has taken the boat out on service 146 times as Coxswain. Jon has received letters of thanks from the RNLI for a number of services carried out by himself and his volunteer crew.

On handing over Jon says “It felt the right time to hand over the role to the next generation, with the welcoming of the new lifeboat. Luke will take the crew into a new era for the station. The last 10 years has been an honour to serve Falmouth and I feel proud and privileged to have had the opportunity”

New Coxswain Luke Wills joined the organisation over 20 years ago, also serving as a helm on the inshore lifeboat, taking the role as Second Coxswain at the same time JB was appointed as Coxswain in 2015.

On his appointment Luke said “A massive thanks to JB for his support, coaching and guidance over the years……..I have some very large boots to fill. Special thanks also to our volunteer crew and shore teams for their support. We are all looking forward to this new chapter in the history of Falmouth Lifeboat.”

The station wish both JB and Luke all the very best in their new and continuing ventures,

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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