SALCOMBE RNLI LIFEBOAT CREW
The Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat is very much the beating heart of Salcombe. And this has been the case for over 150 years since it was first founded in 1869. There is a mythical history and heritage about this lifeboat and the men and women responsible for it which is the stuff of legend.
Although the physical boats have changed a lot over that time, actually the spirit, bravery and ethos of all those involved with it has not changed one bit.
Salcombe currently has two lifeboats. A 32 tonne Tamar Class all weather offshore boat called Baltic Exchange III. And a smaller inshore Atlantic 85 Class called Gladys Hilda Mustoe. Both of them are seriously hi-tech bits of kit, maintained to the highest standards at all times and always poised to be ready for action within minutes of a shout. They also cost a fortune to buy, maintain and run. More on that later.
The RNLI and specifically the Salcombe Lifeboat is very dear to our hearts at Aubin. We love our watersports and there’s nothing more reassuring than knowing the lifeboat is there should something go amiss. (Albeit, the well documented humiliation of being rescued by mates on the Lifeboat has cost a few beers in the pubs of Salcombe over the years).
But more specifically, the people involved with the Lifeboat epitomise what the town is. Many folk experience Salcombe for a week in the summer as tourists. That’s unsurprising, it’s a beautiful place, the sun always shines, the beaches are fabulous and the beer taps work on overdrive. But underpinning all of that is a very closely knit, long standing and tight community of local people. Who in many cases are families which have been living and working in Salcombe for many generations.
The Lifeboat reflects this. And today’s Lifeboat is crewed and run (on shore and off shore) by men and women of multiple generations, sometimes within the same family.
We caught up with a few of them to get the inside story of what it’s like being on the team.
Toby Woods
Toby has been part of the RNLI for nearly four years now. Born and bred in Salcombe, he’s a fisherman by trade. So spends a lot of his time out on the water either working, for pleasure, or on the Lifeboat. As a youngster growing up in the town, he used to see the flares go off when there was a shout and he’d race down to watch the team in action. It was a real inspiration for him and so as soon as he was old enough, he applied to join the crew.
For him, the crew is like a family. Getting to know and work alongside a lot of amazing people from many different walks of life. We get the feeling you need to stay on your toes when everyone’s together though. A lot of jokes and a good crack. But as Toby says, when you need to get down to the serious business, the guys and girls are really well trained and know what they’re doing. Toby is a helm on the inshore lifeboat and crew on the all weather boat.
George Yeoman (aka Chad)
We pressed George on why his nickname was Chad, but we couldn’t get anything more out of him other than, “it’s a local town thing”. So, I guess we’ll leave it there.... George has been on the station for seven years now, joining up aged just 17. But with a surname like Yeoman that’s been knocking around Salcombe since the 19th century, it’s no surprise that the Lifeboat for George is a family affair. His father was on the boat and he has recently convinced his mother Imogen to join up as well. George’s role in proceedings is a helm of the inshore lifeboat and a mechanic on the all weather boat.
Mike Wrigley (aka Chippy)
Mike is a self described ‘blow in’ to Salcombe. Still a newbie to the town having only just arrived around 45 years ago. He was knocking about the place, repairing boats and working in Edward Hannaford’s boat yard on Island Street. Edward was heavily involved in the Salcombe Lifeboat and that’s how Mike originally got involved. Although his eyesight now prevents him from being on the boat, Mike’s role is now in the Launch Authority and shore crew. You’ll know Mike’s boatshed because his very distinctive and much photographed Landie is parked outside it. Just next to Banger’s shed. Mike is often seen putting the world to rights with the rest of the Island Street Parliament. Never seen without his distinctive sailor’s cap.
This is a brief window into the world of the Salcombe Lifeboat. And in no way does it full justice. So, when you are next in Salcombe, please do visit the Lifeboat gift shop which is on Custom House Quay, just next door to where the inshore boat is housed when on dry land. There’s a lot of gifts to buy and interesting history of the Salcombe Lifeboat. In particular the infamous 1916 Lifeboat disaster when 13 of the 15 crew members perished.
Although the lifeboat crew are volunteers in the main, running the boats costs millions of pounds every year. And the RNLI runs entirely oL donations. So please donate whatever you can. They may even save your life. As the American’s would say, “thank you for your service”. We salute each and every one of you.
