Dedicated RNLI Volunteer Steps Down After Over 50 Years of Saving Lives
A volunteer and former employee at Fishguard RNLI has stepped down from their final role following 50 years of serving the local community and visiting vessels.
After more than five decades of extraordinary dedication, Chris Williams has concluded his career with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, marking the end of an era defined by commitment, compassion, and community impact.
In 1974 Chris and his wife Brenda moved back to the area when he took up the position of 2nd engineer for British Rail Ferries. Chris joined the lifeboat crew after he was approached by then assistant mechanic Roy Williams who, knowing he was coming up to retirement age knew the lifeboat would need another mechanic.
Chris was already familiar with the station having previously helped his mother, a founding member of the local ‘Womens Lifeboat Guild’ raising funds locally for the charity. Having joined the crew he saw his first shout in 1976.
In 1979 full time station mechanic Noel Murrow wanted to retire and so Chris, having spent five years sailing back and forth to Rosslare by ferry decided to take up the position of station mechanic, a role he would keep until 2005.
In 2006, Chris became the volunteer Water Safety Advisor for the station, engaging the community in how to stay safe around the water which he did until 2021.
Whilst fulfilling this role Chris also took up additional responsibilities in 2016 as a Launch Authority, a vital volunteer role for communication between the station and coastguard.
In 2021 following the departure of the previous Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM), Chris took the opportunity to take on the role of leading the station temporarily until he was confirmed into the position in 2024. The role of LOM is to be the station’s manager and a key link between the station and RNLI HQ in Poole, a role he performed diligently up until his retirement this month.
Over his time with the RNLI, Chris has crewed on-board three different classes of lifeboat as they were introduced and came up for retirement. The first was the Watson class lifeboat Howard Marryat. One of Chris’ memories of this lifeboat was the little protection from the elements it provided stating:
'On a rough night you got wet as you hit the water at the bottom of the slip and you stayed wet till you got back’.
Following the Watson came the Arun class lifeboat Marie Winstone, of which Chris said: ‘It was a huge step up both in speed, 18 knots, space, you could almost hold a dance in the wheelhouse, and highly manoeuvrable, BUT, she was a very uncomfortable sea boat. She had a vicious roll and could slam so hard in a sea you thought the fillings would come out of your teeth’.
Of the three, Chris’ favourite is the current Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII which arrived on station in 1994 to replace the Marie Winstone.
Over the course of his career in his various roles Chris has experienced many memorable moments. When asked, he described his most memorable, and most poignant memory as that of being part of the crew who took the replacement lifeboat to Newlyn, the day after the loss of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne in 1981, the last loss of a lifeboat and crew. Due to the conditions it took 25 hours to reach Newlyn from Fishguard, on arrival they were greeted by dozens of locals cheering and waving.
As LOM Chris experienced different challenges to those at sea, but overcame all with the experience and professionalism a career in the RNLI had afforded.
Chris was asked, following over 50 years of service, what was he most proud of?
In true RNLI spirit Chris answered: ‘Simple; on the certificate of service the Area Operations Manager recently gave me it says that during the 50 years I was involved with Fishguard Lifeboat in various roles, at least 114 lives were saved. That’s it.’
To sign off an exemplary career Chris said: ‘Over the years it’s been a real privilege to work with crew members from such diverse backgrounds who are united by one purpose, saving lives at sea.'
Throughout his career Chris has been supported by his wife Brenda, and was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the RNLI on her behalf during presentation of his service certificate.
Recruitment to fill the role of LOM has been completed and the new post holder will be announced shortly when they take up the position.