RNLI boss visits Rye Harbour lifeboat crew

RNLI chief executive Paul Boissier met with a group of crew and other volunteers at Rye Harbour on Thursday, February 22 as the charity boss toured several lifeboat stations on the south east coast.

Rye Harbour lifeboat operations manager Tony Edwards introduced Mr Boissier to a number of volunteers including; Trevor Bryant, Sharon Gozna, Joseph Brown, Will Gamble, Gary Callard, KT Bruce and area life-saving manager Allen Head.

Mr Edwards said: “All of us got involved in some interesting discussions around the table. Everyone had an opportunity to air his or her views and to put forward ideas.”

According to members of the Rye Harbour crew, Mr Boisser spoke to the crew about the perceptions the public has of the RNLI and fundraising.

There was also talk of the Mary Stanford service at the Church of the Holy Spirit in the harbour each November and how special the forthcoming one will be because it will be the 90th anniversary of the tragic loss of an entire lifeboat crew on November 15 1928. The tragedy saw seventeen men lost at sea during a single shout - dealing a devastating blow to the fishing population of the village.

Rye Harbour station is currently seeking more volunteers both for crew and fundraising. The RNLI is the largest charity that saves lives at sea around the coast of the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the country.