Torbay RNLI announces new Coxswain

Torbay’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Nick O’Brien, who made the announcement, declared, 'We deliberately took our time searching for the right candidates and then in making our final selection for Coxswain.

Rightly so. The position carries significant responsibility and has been filled by a proud line of impressive predecessors going continuously back to 1866. So, after making our choice, we were delighted when Andrew agreed to take up the mantle and we wish him all the best in this role.

'We would also like to add our thanks to Richard Fowler who has stepped up to interim Coxswain for the last six months and has led the station with distinction. He has been ably supported by Ash McInally as fulltime station mechanic, who has put in a huge shift to keep the station running efficiently and at the highest state of readiness.'

Asked about his appointment, Andrew added a few of his own thoughts:

'Volunteering for the RNLI at Torbay Lifeboat Station has been the most fulfilling experience of my working life, and I feel enormously privileged to step up to the full-time Coxswain role. Most of all, I am looking forward to leading this incredible team of skilled and dedicated people, and together taking forward the proud history of the station in saving lives at sea.

'Our lifeboats matter so much to the towns and communities across the Bay, and I’ll be doing my very best to live up to the line of distinguished Coxswains who have come before me. We have a busy period ahead as the summer approaches. This includes embedding a new operational training framework to help ensure that all crew, both trainees and experienced hands, are fully up to date with the latest kit and procedures.'

Amongst the Coxswain’s many responsibilities, and beyond its crucial operational requirements, the position includes representative duties for the station and its crew, which this year, being the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, assume particular importance.

So, within four days of his appointment, on Thursday 4th April, Andrew welcomed the arrival of the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary Scroll to Torbay. Printed on bamboo paper, the Scroll contains the RNLI’s One Crew pledge promising to continue saving everyone in danger at sea for the next 200 years.

'It’s an important symbol that reflects our continued commitment as we mark this special anniversary year,” said Andrew. “By signing this pledge and passing it on from one incredible RNLI community to the next, we also hope it will inspire the next generation of lifesavers.'

Lifesavers from across the UK and Ireland, our patron, president, and chief executive, will have signed the scroll after its visit to all our RNLI communities across the UK and Ireland over 2024.

The occasion was witnessed by a cross section of volunteers at the station on Thursday. A celebration cake was made by Izzy, a partner of one of our crew, and kindly provided to some hungry RNLI scroll-couriers as well as Andrew, for the occasion.

'We’re a warm and welcoming team at Torbay and always pleased to see people who drop in to the station and look at the boats. We’ve had some fantastic public events already in this the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary year. And we have further plans for the summer, including a ‘Street Food Festival’ and ‘Search-and-Rescue’ demonstration on the weekend of 10th August. So, make a note in your diary. We hope to see you there.'