Appledore RNLI has a new Deputy Coxswain

It takes years of dedicated commitment, hard work, training and exercising to become a Coxswain, and on Tuesday 20 May, all at Appledore RNLI were delighted that Mark Williams sailed through his final externally assessed pass out and is now a fully-fledged Coxswain for their Tamar class Lifeboat.

Mark joined the Appledore Lifeboat crew back in 2007, and as with all new recruits, passed out as shore crew before moving on to become a boat crew member for both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats. Since then he has progressed to become a launch and recovery vehicle driver, all-weather lifeboat mechanic, navigator and inshore lifeboat helm. This week he became a fully passed out coxswain as well.

His final pass out took place on Tuesday 20 May, a heavy and memorable day for him. First he had to undertake a written examination on rules of the sea before intensive testing on the lifeboat to sign off his ability to command his crew through all sorts of emergency situations.

Apart from volunteering with Appledore RNLI, for many years Mark has also been employed full time as a Senior Regional Technician involved with the maintenance for all RNLI lifeguard and lifeboat equipment including boats, jet skis and launch and recovery equipment between Clovelly and Ilfracombe.

Bob Meller, Appledore Lifeboat Operations Manager says: ‘We congratulate Mark who has passed out as a fully qualified coxswain after many years of hard training. We also thank all the crew and trainers who have been involved with his training and exercising, a real joint effort from the station’.

Mark says: ‘I would like to thank everyone at the station for all their help and support. Achieving this takes a lot of time and effort, and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the entire crew. Also, a big thank you goes to my family for their continued support, understanding, patience and tolerance’.

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.