The crew at Poole lifeboat station

Crew: Richard Skerman

Role: ILB Helm and ALB Second Mechanic
Joined: 2002
Facts: Boatbuilder, Sunseekers
Number of shouts 2009: 40

Rick has been a crew member since 2002. He is a family man with two teenage boys and a wife – who’s hair is thinner and grey since he joined!

Rick’s interests are jetskiing, mountain biking and underwater swimming with a kayak attached to his legs – he’s still getting used to a new model! Can often be seen stood at the end of Lake Pier with a black Labrador crawling on its belly and a jack Russell insanely barking at the waves!

Crew: Mike Hallard

Role: ALB Crew Member
Joined: 1998
Facts: Fisherman, helps trial new RNLI lifeboats and deliver relief lifeboats, lumber jack and many other things …
Number of shouts 2009: 2

Mike joined the crew in 1998 and is an emergency mechanic. There are few jobs in Poole that Mike doesn't fit into his week. He describes himself as a fisherman, delivers logs, works for the RNLI and anything else that pays well.

Mike's sartorial taste is different from the rest of the crew but he is not at all embarrassed to wear red trousers all year round.

He can be seen going through the bridge on various RNLI boats (unless it’s Summer) when he retreats to his barge, which is moored on the canal at Newbury. At least he doesn't have to worry about the tides – only where the next pub is!

Crew: Gavin McGuinness

Role: ILB Helm and ALB Crew Member
Joined: 1994
Facts: Bosun/Yard Coxswain at RNLI Headquarters
Number of shouts 2009: 74

Gav is a Bosun/Yard Coxswain at the RNLI . He joined the crew in 1994 and is an ILB Helmsman. He is of very slight build and looks like a strong wind would blow him away!
Gav was the helmsman on the ILB on 5 May 2001 when they carried out a difficult rescue up against the Sandbanks chain ferry for which he received a Framed Chairman’s Letter of Thanks. His image can be seen at all RNLI lifeboat stations and on the MOB Guardian promotional literature – he’s the one calling for help!

Crew: Holly Phillips

Role: ILB Helm and ALB Crew Member
Joined: 1994
Facts: Principal Naval Architect, RNLI Headquarters
Number of shouts 2009: 0

She was the first female crew member at Poole Lifeboat Station (and the 100th in the UK and RoI) when she joined in 1994 and is now a Helm on the ILB and a Navigator on the ALB.

Holly is also employed by the RNLI in the Engineering Office as Principal Naval Architect. In any spare time Holly has, she can be found rowing and coxing Cornish Pilot gigs in Swanage (but not at the same time!).

Crew: John Vine

Role: ILB Helm and ALB Crew Member
Joined: 2000
Facts: Crane Driver and Instructor
Number of shouts 2009: 47

John joined the crew in 2000. He has been a crane operator for Poole Harbour Commissioners for over 20 years. He completed a Land’s End to Poole row as a Poole Pirate in 2010, raising much-needed funds for five charities including the RNLI.

Crew: Anne Millman

Role: ALB Crew Member
Joined: 1995
Facts: Freelance copywriter, copy-editor and proofreader
Number of shouts 2009: 27

Anne joined the crew in 1995 on both the ILB and ALB but is now only on the ALB (she’s now too old for those nippy little boats!). She was, however, on the ILB on 5 May 2001 when they carried out a difficult rescue up against the Sandbanks chain ferry for which she received a Framed Chairman’s Letter of Thanks. There are advantages to not being on the ILB now though – she can stay tucked up in bed when the pager goes off for the ILB on a cold, dark, wet and windy night!

Her image is often seen on the back of the RNLI’s promotional trailers (not the back end of buses though!) and on the new station information posters.