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Michelle passes out as RNLI crew member

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 15:30

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

VOG Council

A registration officer has passed out as a lifeboat volunteer at Barry Dock.

Michelle Theaker has spent the last three years on call as part of the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat crew, having been motivated to join the lifeboat charity through her family.

"My brother has been on the Barry Dock crew since his teenage years, and I've always admired his enthusiasm and commitment to the RNLI", she said. "I also had friends who are crew and have been since a young age. It's so motivating."

Michelle, who recently passed out as a Tier 2 crew member, says she wanted to give back to the community and make a difference close to home.

"I wanted to give something back to the community and be part of something meaningful - especially with two teenage boys who love the water and are growing up by the coast. It's a unique way to help people and promote water safety, and I just knew I had to be part of it."

Michelle, who works at Vale of Glamorgan Council, is on call 24/7 - which requires a strong commitment and rigorous training.

She said: "All crew have to attend a minimum amount of training exercises a year to be safe to go afloat."

"When the pager sounds, day or night, all available crew head to the RNLI Barry Dock station. It doesn't matter how many times it goes off, there are always nerves around arriving at the station and finding out what you are launching to."

As a council worker, Michelle gets special leave for training days at the RNLI - and last summer, she attended a week-long seamanship course at their training centre in Poole.

"My manager and colleagues are so supportive of my volunteer role and they were so happy for me for passing the Tier 2. They understand the importance of saving lives at sea and if the pager sounds they will jump in to help, when possible."

She added: "The training was the most amazing experience, and I am very grateful for this."

Council leader Lis Burnett said: "Michelle's story is a powerful reminder of the difference volunteering can make - in this case, work that can quite literally save lives. It's also another example of how Vale staff go above and beyond to serve their communities each and every day."

"The work of the RNLI is vitally important, helping to keep people safe along our county's coastline. As a council, we are incredibly grateful to the RNLI volunteers who selflessly carry out this life-saving work at our resorts, beaches and beyond."

Last year, local RNLI volunteers were given honorary freeman and freewoman status during a ceremony at the RNLI's Penarth station, as part of the charity's 200th anniversary celebrations.

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