Fleetwood RNLI Chairman receives award

Peter was firstly, surprised to receive Bar to the Gold Medal for his ‘valuable support of the lifeboat service’ for the past 30 years. But the biggest surprise came when the award was presented by Michael Vlasto OBE, the recently retired Operations Director to the RNLI. Michael was hugely important in the development of the RNLI into a world leading Search and Rescue (SAR) organisation and had strong links to Fleetwood RNLI.

Peter joined Fleetwood RNLI as Deputy Launching Authority in 1986, after becoming involved with the volunteer lifeboat crew at Fleetwood Nautical College. After almost 20 years as Lifeboat Operations Manager, Peter became Chairman, a post he still holds today.

Peter said:‘The presentation came as a big surprise, but nothing like the surprise at seeing Michael again. It was a fantastic day and a great honour to receive the award. I’m grateful to Michael and the lifeboat crew for making it a special occasion.'

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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