High Sheriff hears about life saving work on visit to Shoreham Lifeboat Station
The High Sheriff of West Sussex James Whitmore had the opportunity to find out more about the lifesaving work of the RNLI when he was a VIP guest at Shoreham Lifeboat Station earlier this month.
Mr Whitmore accompanied by his wife Sara and son Nick toured the station, the Tamar-class all weather lifeboat (ALB) and the D-class inshore lifeboat. They watched the shore crew prepare the ALB for launch and had a chance to talk about the station’s lifesaving opportunities with the full-time coxswain/mechanic and the Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM).
After watching the lifeboat launch, they spent time talking to crew members to learn more about what it's like to volunteer at the station.
Shoreham LOM Andrew Shiner said: “It was our pleasure to welcome the High Sheriff to the station and talk about the great work of our wonderful team of volunteers. Not only those that carry a pager but our extended community of fundraisers, and the station shop and visits team. Each is equally important to fulfil our mission to save lives at sea. It is a great community and one within which I’m proud to serve.”
Mr Whitmore said: “The station is a pivotal service to our island nation and is so much more poignant due to it being manned predominantly by volunteers. We so enjoyed our tour of the station especially seeing the lifeboats launch.”
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.