'Division and distrust', RNLI volunteers let go after relationship breakdowns

A culture of 'division and distrust' among crew members at Pwllheli RNLI station has seen the rescue hub closed for a "reset".

While operations are paused, neighbouring stations will be providing cover for the area.

Last summer, reports of 'grievances raised by volunteers' resulted in a probe into the Pwllheli station.

North Wales Live reports that volunteers had been contacted and informed all volunteering arrangements with crew were being ended.

A letter to crew members stated it was "unsafe to run an operational lifeboat service with ongoing division, disharmony and an absence of station leadership".

An RNLI spokesperson said: "The RNLI is currently unable to operate from Pwllheli due to a serious breakdown in relationships between operational crew members.

"The charity recently carried out a fair, thorough and robust investigation into the concerns raised at Pwllheli Lifeboat Station with experienced investigation managers and are confident our processes have been followed fairly.

They continued: "Resignations of key station personnel has led to the RNLI reaching the difficult decision to now reset operational personnel at Pwllheli Lifeboat Station.

"Whilst it is recognised that many of the volunteers at Pwllheli remain committed to saving lives at sea, it is unsafe to run an operational lifeboat service with ongoing distrust, disharmony, and an absence of station leadership."

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In a decision that "had not been taken lightly", they added that the RNLI had "ended volunteering arrangements with all operational crew."

In order to move forward and provide an inclusive environment at the lifeboat station, they said the move was "considered necessary."

The spokesperson added: "The sea is a demanding environment, and it takes a deep level of trust between crew members to save lives at sea.

"We are incredibly grateful to all our volunteers at Pwllheli for their service and commitment, however, have been faced with an incredibly complex situation.

"We are committed to providing a duty of care to our staff and volunteers and those we rescue to create a cohesive environment where everyone feels safe and respected."

Summarising, they said: "The RNLI is committed to Pwllheli Lifeboat Station and is focussed on working collaboratively with those volunteers who are willing to commit to rebuilding the team.

"Those who would like to be part of the future of Pwllheli Lifeboat Station have been invited to express their interest and discuss the possibility of re-establishing their volunteering relationship."

'The boat crew also had serious concerns for their safety'

In response to the claims made by the RNLI, the Pwllheli RNLI Volunteer Crew released a statement saying: "After an inspection nine months ago, Pwllheli RNLI was praised by RNLI management for being one of the best stations in the RNLI.

"That is testament to the commitment and hard work of the full-time Coxswain and all the volunteers. However, behind that were increasing concerns by crew members regarding the behaviour of the Station Manager (LOM) and one staff member.

"A group of lifeboat crew volunteers decided that the situation could not continue and made formal complaints at the highest level about the LOM, one full-time staff member, and senior regional management.

"The complaints involved inappropriate and aggressive behaviour, concerns regarding safeguarding, health and safety, racism, sexism, as well as the treatment of two long-standing and much-loved volunteers. 

"The boat crew also had serious concerns for their safety while at sea thanks to the behaviour of one crew member which the RNLI refuses to deal with. 

"Following the complaints, a senior manager from RNLI HQ visited the station to address all volunteers where he made it clear our complaints were taking up the valuable time of managers who could be doing more important work. The lifeboat station was shut down last August for the investigation to take place."

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