Four long-serving crew members with the RNLI in Porthdinllaen are to be honoured with long service awards.

Together, Caryl Thomas, Geraint Humphreys, Robat Jones and Dylan Thomas have a combined service of 140 years volunteering for the lifeboat charity.

Figures published this week revealed the crew saved two lives and rescued another ten people during last year.

Robat joined the RNLI in 1986 at the age of 22, initially as a navigator and a deputy second coxswain. He became a second coxswain in 1994 and has since served on three lifeboats under three different coxswains - the Kathleen Mary, the Hetty Rampton and currently, the John D Spicer.

Dylan was 17 when he joined the RNLI forty years ago, but his father worked as a mechanic for a brief spell in the 1960s, sparking his own interest in lifeboats.

He said: "As a young child I was amazed looking at the RNLI lifeboat, the Charles Henry Ashley launching down the slipway. I had an ambition from that very day to be part of the crew."

Dylan has progressed through numrous roles at RNLI Porthdinllaen including lifeboat crew and third mechanic - he currently holds several duties as press officer, head launcher, plant operator and launch authority.

Both Dylan and Robat were involved in the Kimya disaster of 1991, when a cargo ship capsized during storms off the south coast of Anglesey. Just two of the 12 crew members on board survived.

Dylan said: "The conditions were awful and we were tasked at approx. 2.15am on 5 January 1991, responding to a distress call, a small tanker, the Kimya."

"It was a 13-hour long shout, sadly resulting in ten sailors’ losing their lives that night. Of the crew onboard the lifeboat that night, only Robat and myself are still serving volunteers at Porthdinllaen RNLI."

Geraint, a crewman who also joined the RNLI at Porthdinllaen in 1986, will officially celebrate his 40th anniversary in November. He also has family members within the lifeboat charity with his youngest son recently passing out at Porthdinllaen as a mechanic.

Dylan's niece Caryl was 16 when she joined the RNLI twenty years ago, also following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather.

She said: "The RNLI is close to me and my family, after having generations serving on Porthdinllaen lifeboat. I also wanted to help and give back to my community, alongside pursuing the RNLI’s mission, to save lives at sea."

Initially a crew member, she became a coxswain alongside completing her navigator and mechanic plans. One recent rescue involved a father and son who fell into the water after getting into difficulty on a paddleboard.

Caryl recalled: "Once we brought them onboard the lifeboat, I reassured them both that they were now safe. Seeing the relief and smile returning to their face as time passed was just amazing."

Since Porthdinllaen's lifeboat station was founded in 1864, its crews have been recognised with five awards for gallantry.

The latest clutch of honours coincides with the launch of the RNLI's annual Mayday Mile appeal, encouraging fundraisers to cover a mile a day by any means during the month of May.

Robat Jones said: "From our years of service to this lifesaving charity, we know firsthand that every second counts when you’re in danger in the water."

"So, we’re asking people for their support to get behind our Mayday campaign to help keep you and your family safe at the coast this summer and beyond."

Lee Firman, operations manager for RNLI Porthdinllaen, added: "Geraint, Robat, Dylan and Caryl’s achievement and dedication over decades of saving lives at sea is exceptional, which the RNLI are very grateful for."

"Congratulations to each of them and this recognition is so well deserved. I know the wider station team are very proud."

"You can help make sure that RNLI lifesavers like the Porthdinllaen crew, have everything they need to keep people safe by taking part in the Mayday Mile yourself. Cover one mile a day throughout the month, wherever and however you like."

To find out more about the Mayday appeal and to take part, visit the RNLI website.