Bangor RNLI volunteer Kyle Marshall celebrates 40 years of service

Growing up in Bangor and spending his teenage years working around the harbour, Kyle always had a connection with the RNLI and the local volunteers. On 27 May 1983, Kyle joined the crew of Bangor RNLI and has been serving the community there since.

The charity and the resources have changed significantly since Kyle first joined. Bangor RNLI started with a D class lifeboat that was launched by hand on a trolley, progressing on to an Atlantic 75 and more recently the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Jessie Hillyard. Kyle says: ‘Over the years I have seen many changes within the RNLI , most notably how much more effective the investment in training and equipment has become. The RNLI crew training is undoubtedly one of the best search and rescue training in the world, which helps all volunteers save lives at sea.’

When asked about his first memorable rescue Kyle says: ‘My first call out was to a capsized boat just off Brompton in Bangor. Three guys in an 18ft skiff had overturned their boat. We were alerted by a member of public who had heard cries for help. We launched our D class boat to rescue the crew and casualty boat. It was a very calm still night with a low thick fog when we made our way to the scene. At first we couldn’t see or hear anything but when we cut the engine we could hear calls for help. We followed the calls and were able to locate and recover the three guys from the water. I was on the lifeboat with Brian Meharg and Philip Layburn that evening and will never forget it. In fact, I bumped into one of the guys we rescued recently in Bangor and he vividly recalled his rescue.’

Kyle goes on to explain what the lifeboat means to him: ‘It’s a passion. The RNLI volunteers are like family and I have made and maintained many great friendships over the last 40 years in service. However, I genuinely believe that I personally have got more from the charity than I have given’.

Byron Griffiths, Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'Forty years of volunteer service is a fantastic achievement for anyone and we want to thank and congratulate Kyle for his selfless dedication and contribution that has undoubtedly helped to bring many people to safety.'

Ends

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.

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