A BRISTOL man, who moved to Lyme Regis just over a year ago, has been welcomed aboard as the latest volunteer sea-going crew member of the town’s RNLI lifeboat during the RNLI's 200th anniversary.

Gareth Roscoe, 44-year-old self-employed builder, now joins the men and women who give their time all year round to go to sea aboard the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat named Spirit of Loch Fyne. 

As a trainee crew member he now embarks on a comprehensive training programme designed to develop the skills needed to operate the charity’s lifeboat in the waters around Lyme Regis both day and night.

Gareth, his civil servant wife Claire and their 13-year-old son Rhys moved to Lyme Regis from Bristol.

According to Gareth, one of the first things he did when they arrived in Lyme Regis was go straight to the lifeboat station and ask to join the crew.

A keen angler, Gareth takes regular fishing trips with his family aboard their 5.2m RIB (rigid inflatable boat) named Orca.

He said: “I have wanted to join the RNLI as crew for many years, but never lived near enough to a lifeboat station to answer emergency calls. I have enjoyed getting up to speed with the training needed to prepare me for my sea going role and have already attended the RNLI College in Poole for the seamanship course. 

"As a newcomer I appreciate the help I have received from the other committed volunteers at the lifeboat station.”

The desire to become a lifeboat volunteer apparently runs in the Roscoe family, with Gareth’s son Rhys also being keen to become an RNLI volunteer crew member as soon as he comes of age.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Mark Colley said: “We are delighted to welcome Gareth aboard for his further training as a sea-going member of our lifeboat crew. I am sure he will be a valued member of our dedicated team of volunteers.”

So far, the Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers have answered 30 calls for help in 2024, the year in which the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary.