From members of a lifeboat crew... to 'I do' - the heart warming story of an RNLI wedding
Two volunteer members of Cowes RNLI lifeboat crew are now married after meeting through the charity 14 years ago
Two dedicated Cowes RNLI volunteers who first met while serving on the crew 14 years ago have tied the knot, returning to the lifeboat station where their journey began to celebrate.
Lou and James Rankin first met in March 2012 when they both volunteered for Cowes RNLI Station as boat crew.
James was on the crew for a couple of years; Lou went on to complete over 11 years of volunteering for the RNLI, across boat and shore crew, education and visits team roles.
Both were serving as volunteer crew when Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Cowes RNLI station on the 25th July 2012.
The couple reconnected on Valentine’s Day four years ago, when James texted Lou to say he had just got a labrador puppy called Stanley.
The couple married on Saturday, 14th March 2026, at the Island Sailing Club where they had first set eyes on each other 14 years before. The ceremony was followed by a short walk down to the RNLI station for photos.
Lou said: “The RNLI is fantastic for meeting new people, especially people who wouldn’t normally cross paths with in life. I’ve made lifelong friends at the station, lots of whom were at our wedding. Today brought back lovely memories; it was great to go back to where it all started. When I joined the RNLI the last thing I thought was that I would meet my husband, but look at us now!”
Mark Southwell, Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, also attended the wedding.
Mark said: “Once you join the RNLI family, you are part of it for life. For many at the station, volunteering provides more than just technical training; it offers a support network that remains long after their service ends. I am so happy to see the positive effects of volunteering echoing across Lou and James’ lives. Congratulations to them both from all of us at the station.”