Long service awards at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI

Rodney Wells who is an assistant Coxswain for the all-weather lifeboat Samarbeta and Helmsman on the inshore relief lifeboat Pride of Leicester’ has been on the crew for 20 years and received his Gold Long Service Badge.

The station is very fortunate in having Rodney as crew because in his day job he is a Senior Critical Care Paramedic on the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Mick Sinacola joined the crew in 1990 and worked his way up to Helmsman and Mechanic before moving to the Thames lifeboat station at Tower in 2002, in the same capacity. In 2004 he returned to Gorleston before transferring to a shore mechanics role in 2005. He is a constant visitor to the station and can often be seen working on Samarbeta. Mick also received his Gold Long Service Badge.

Lastly David Mason who joined the crew in 1967 worked his way up to be Coxswain of ‘Samarbeta’ when she was named by Princess Alexandra in 1996. He was awarded the Bronze Medal and thanks of the institution in 1996 for the rescue of the yacht ‘Olline’ in storm force 11 wind conditions.

In 2004 he stood down as Coxswain and took on the role of Deputy Launching Authority, a post he still holds today, and actively assists the crew and station in any way he can.

David was awarded his 50-year bar to his long service badge, which is an outstanding achievement.

The President of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station, Jim Carter, Chairman, Rev. Albert Cadmore, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Lindsey Wigmore and Coxswain/Mechanic Paddy Lee presented Rodney, Mick and David with their well-deserved awards.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat would like to take the opportunity to wish their supporters and their families a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year, and this extends to all the other lifeboat crews, who all work so tirelessly to save lives at sea.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Kimberley Platford, RNLI Gorleston & Great Yarmouth Volunteer Crew & Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07907360588 or at: [email protected]

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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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