1. Tom Dobson, Crew Leader

I have lived in Runswick all my life and have been on the rescue boat since 2008. When I joined I had not had much sea time apart from the occasional fishing trip and a rough ferry crossing from Brittany ... but I was keen to learn. I also thought I could be a good asset to the boat, being self employed and generally working locally doing property maintenance work and joinery manufacturing. I enjoy being on the boat and am now a power boat level 2 instructor and helmsman. I have a few boats of my own and also a kayak which I use in the bay.

2. Mike Sewell, Helmsman, Quality Assurance Officer

I moved to Hinderwell in 1985. Married to Karen, an RBRB Trustee, and have 2 sons, Matthew and James, both of whom are or have been on the crew. I was a medic in the Royal Navy and have since worked in many health roles including managing first response services for the chemical industry, Occupational Health manager at Wilton Site and more recently Regional manager for Medacs Health.

I joined the rescue boat in 1999 and had 4 years as crew leader between 2005 and 2009 and I have been on the committee for 8 years.

In my spare time I enjoy walking, gardening and Bird watching. I try to visit the Arctic each year as the weather seems to match my personality, so I am told.

3. Tom Bottomley, Helmsman, Communications Officer

I joined the crew in early 2008 and was Chairman of RBRB Association, the charity that runs the Rescue Boat, from June 2009 to May 2011. I have been fishing from boats around Runswick Bay for most of my life and my current boat is a Dory Eurosport 15.

I am a director of an insurance company in Leeds and for my hobbies I enjoy raising money for charity through a variety of stunts including mountaineering, skydiving, marathon cycle tours and open water swimming.

I am married to Claire and we have a little boy, Max (Junior Crew).

4. Simon Blackburn, Helmsman, Training Officer

I moved to the area 12 years ago so still a newcomer!  ... joined the crew late Summer 2009 having many years experience of yachting.  I have RYA shorebased qualifications to Yachtmaster Ocean and to Coastal Skipper practical.  Others include first aid, sea survival, radar and PB2 instructor.  As a yachtie you always have your mind on "what if"?  So I joined mainly to "give something back".  Naturally it came as a total shock to find that RBRB spend 99% of their training time in waters and conditions I've spent 20 years being trained as a yachtie to keep well clear from - oh, and we use crew as anchors!  It's a great cause.

5. Robbie Stewart, Helmsman, PR & Recruitment Officer

I am the landlord of The Runswick Bay Hotel and joined the crew shortly after arriving in the village in 2008. I am ideally suited to the role as I developed gills at a young age and have, over the last few years, culivated a handsome layer of floating blubber around my belly. My mother was an actress who played Ariel in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid'. My adventurer father, Captain Smith, met my mother after an ill fated fling with Pocahontas.

Despite my being a fantasist, the Rescue Boat has given me qualifications in Powerboat handling, VHF Radio use, Navigation and safety and there is more to come. I enjoy fishing, playing guitar, films, and the dance of the sugarplum fairy.

6. Matthew Sewell, Helmsman

I grew up in the local area and joined the boat in early 2003. I had a gap when I lived in Wakefield from 2004 until 2006.

I qualified in 2007 as a financial advisor and practice mainly between Whitby and Redcar. I enjoy the practical and social side of the boat and I am keen on fishing and sea kayaking. 

7. Dan Gains-Burrill, Helmsman

Currently a medical student in Newcastle, and having lived in the area all my life I joined RBRB in 2009, and was immediately bitten by the bug. I have been a keen dinghy sailor from a young age, and have sailed at a national level throughout the country.

I came to the rescue boat already holding RYA powerboat and safetyboat qualifications, but the training has enabled me to expand significantly on my experiences of pulling boats of the wall at Scaling Dam. I have thoroughly enjoyed the social side of working with such a stellar ensemble, even if jokes about a certain absent radio are looking to be with me for a long time...

8. Tom Glasby, Helmsman

I am 24 years old and have been on and off the crew due work and schooling since 2003. My dad used to be on the crew which got me interested in the rescue boat at the age of 12 where I would go down and sweep the boat house out.The rescue boat has brought me many skills including team work, first aid and "thinking outside the box" which I can use day to day in normal life as well as in my job as an airline pilot.

I live and work in Edinburgh although I have lived in and around Runswick for 20 years, and I still get to be on the crew due to our great duty man system where I get to bid for duties when my work allows!

I have a great interest in most sports particularly in rugby and skiing.

9. Neil Suckling, Crew, Duties Officer

I am 45 years old, born in Cambridge, related to Nelson, and have connections to a Staithes family(Verrills) going back to 1650. Been on the crew for 2 years, hotel assistant, support Liverpool Football Club, love hard rock music, ex golf pro, known by mates as "suckers"  or "neilsy".

My "uncle" Harold Armstrong was crewman on the Royal Thames and The Elliot Gill (Runswick RNLB).

10. Jamie Littlewood, Crew

Profile coming soon.

11. Ben Metcalfe, Crew

Profile coming soon.

12. Andrew Smith, Crew

I grew up in the village and have fished from the Bay since a child.  As a youngster I was on the crew and progressed from trainee to helm before leaving the area to pursue my career.

In recent years I have come back to the village, rejoined the crew and am retraining to meet the requirements of the modern boat.

I am a Director of International Property Consultancy DTZ and am married with 3 children.

14. Julie Harrison, Shore Support

Profile coming soon.

15. Graham Naylor, Shore Support

Profile coming soon.

16. Lewis Clarke, Shore Support

Profile coming soon.