First shout together for Littlehampton RNLI brothers Mark and James
Brothers Mark and James Nicholls towed a stricken speedboat safely back to Littlehampton Marina on their first shout together as volunteer crew at Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station.
The brothers were on Littlehampton RNLI’s D-Class lifeboat Spirit of Fidelity, which was tasked by HM Coastguard at 7.15pm on 25 July to take over the tow from Shoreham Harbour RNLI of a 24-foot speedboat that had broken down with three people aboard.
Mark and James, with fellow crew members Gavin Simmons and Stuart Taylor, met Shoreham Harbour’s Enid Collett all weather lifeboat at sea. Stuart Taylor boarded the casualty vessel and our crew towed the vessel back to the safety of Littlehampton Marina.
Mark has been volunteering at Littlehampton RNLI since November 2021. James joined in November last year.
Mark, who was helm for the shout, said: ‘My brother and I have been on the water since we were kids, both learning to sail at the age of eight. We’ve each built careers on the sea, and now, two decades later, it’s incredibly rewarding to serve our community by saving lives on the very waters where we first learned to sail. The bond among the RNLI crew is truly unique – and being able to share that experience with my brother makes it even more special.’
James added: 'It seems funny that this was our first official shout together because we've worked together in Littlehampton Harbour in various different ways for some years now. As RNLI crew, it's good to already have an understanding of how Mark likes to work and approach different shouts as it makes everything go so much smoother when you're out on a boat.'
Mark and James aren’t the only family connection at Littlehampton RNLI. Brothers Richard and Steve Howlett, and father and daughter Jason and Sophie Collins, are also volunteer crew.
ENDS
RNLI media contacts
Beth Brooks, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI
07544 209256 [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager, SE & London
07724 801305 [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
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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