Each year, over 230,000 people lose their lives to drowning – many of them young people. It is one of the world’s leading causes of unintentional death, yet it remains largely overlooked. To mark World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July – a global call to raise awareness and prevent further loss of life – we are sharing the story of one UWC alum who has dedicated his life to tackling this crisis head-on.

A mission begins

When Robin Jenkins (UWC Atlantic, 1990–1992) first stepped aboard a lifeboat as a student, he had no idea it would shape the rest of his life. Today, he is founder and CEO of Atlantic Pacific International Rescue (AP), a non-profit tackling the global drowning crisis by delivering boats where none exist and training people to save lives at sea.

A lifeboat for Japan

Robin’s journey began in the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami in Kamaishi, Japan. A local hotel owner told him how survivors heard cries from the water but had no way to help. “Where are the lifeboats?” he asked. The answer: “What’s a lifeboat?”

That moment changed everything.

Back at UWC Atlantic, Robin and a group of students designed and built a lifeboat and mobile lifeboat station. In 2016, they brought it to Kamaishi and trained local residents in rescue    operations – laying the foundation for a community-led,                                                                                                    ongoing lifesaving programme.

Training a new generation

AP’s work has since expanded to the Mediterranean, where thousands of refugees have drowned in dangerous crossings. The organisation now trains volunteers in search and rescue, first aid and emergency response – equipping them with the skills to act when it matters most.

Education remains at the heart of AP’s model. The summer school at UWC Atlantic gives young people hands-on training in real-world rescue. AP also runs the UK’s only publicly accessible search and rescue programme, open to students, volunteers and professionals alike.

Looking ahead

From the Ocean Revival Project – which turns plastic waste into lifeboats – to plans for a global humanitarian training centre, AP continues to push boundaries. Though the team is mostly volunteer-led and often underfunded, the mission remains clear:

His story is a powerful reflection of UWC’s mission in action – showing how young people, when trusted with responsibility, can lead change where it is most needed.

Learn more about Atlantic Pacific International Rescue
Affiliated to UWC? You can connect with Robin via the UWC Hub