CRICCIETH RNLI has launched a recruitment drive to man and launch and recover its lifeboats.

The lifeboat station has two boats: Doris Joan, an 8.5 metre long Atlantic 85 rigid hull inflatable, and Margaret and Nantw, an Aranca four metre long inshore boat.

Doris Joan needs a crew of four and Margaret and Nantw requires two.

Peter Williams, Criccieth’s RNLI operations manager said: “Currently we have 20 members who crew, launch and recover the boats. Every time Doris Joan is launched it takes five people on the shore and Margaret and Nantw needs at least three people.

“We need more members to ensure we have enough people available 24 hours every day, and a number of our existing staff work outside the village, and that presents a difficulty, we need more members.

“It isn’t essential for new members to have a seafaring background, just to make a commitment. They will receive all the training they need over the winter months to ensure they are fully up to speed for next spring and summer.”

The Criccieth lifeboat has an enviable record of service. The station was established in 1853 and since then the lifeboat has been launched 1154 times on service and saved 403 lives. This year it has been launched on service 25 times, saved 10 lives, assisted another nine people,and brought in four craft in distress.