A LIFEBOAT coxswain who "put everyone's needs before his own" has died after taking ill unexpectedly at home. 

Alan Owen died on Monday, August 21 in hospital. He had served RNLI Moelfre for more than 34 years. 

As a teenage boy, Alan wanted nothing more but to be part of the Moelfre Lifeboat crew.

In 2019, he fulfilled his childhood dream and ambition by becoming Moelfre’s full time lifeboat coxswain. A role in which he served with "nothing but dedication, care and compassion."

Paying tribute, RNLI Moelfre Lifeboat posted on Facebook: "It is with the deepest regret and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our dearest friend, colleague and Moelfre lifeboat Coxswain Alan Owen.

"On August 21, whilst Alan's volunteer crew and close friends were at sea rescuing those in peril, doing what both he and the volunteers knew and loved best, Alan was taken unexpectedly ill at home and devastatingly passed away a short time later in hospital.

"Alan has served RNLI Moelfre for over 34 years, in nothing but a committed, Steadfast and passionate capacity. Volunteering alongside his late step father Vic and many more of his close friends, as a keen and dedicated teenage boy wanting nothing more but to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming Moelfre lifeboat crew. Alan has since served as volunteer shore crew, winchman and head launcher later becoming both ALB and ILB crew, ALB navigator and ILB Helmsman and then Deputy ALB coxswain. Alan also volunteered for the RNLI flood rescue team, assisting in the Cumbria and North Wales floods of 2015. Alan’s passion for SAR navigation and planning was second to none, and he loved nothing more than sharing this knowledge and passion with his volunteer crew.

"In 2019 Alan fulfilled his childhood dream and ambition by becoming Moelfre’s full time lifeboat coxswain. A role in which he served with nothing but dedication, care and compassion, not only towards his own crew but to the public and those who he rescued, in peril at sea. Alan always put everyone else’s needs before his own and for this sacrifice we will be eternally grateful and forever in his debt."

The statement added: "As a crew and community, we offer Alan’s partner Mags, his mother Helen, Magic his dog and Alan's extended family and friends our deepest sympathy, condolences and hold you all close in our thoughts and prayers.

"Alan, Al …Tymoel… Our coxswain our leader, our friend, we will forever miss you, we all thank you and wish you nothing but fair winds and calm seas."

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Moelfre Lifeboat station remains full operational.

Alan's best friend and 2nd Coxswain Martin Jones (Bonty) is in command.

"A commendable feat in such challenging times for all, but as Alan's crew, we all know that he wouldn’t want it any other way," the statement said.

"The station will be closed to the public for the time being, as a mark of respect to Alan and allow his friends and crew to come to terms with such a huge and devastating loss.

"We kindly ask that our supporters respect the privacy of Alan’s family, friends and volunteer crew during this extremely sad and difficult time."