Long service awards for Walmer RNLI volunteers.
Two dedicated Walmer volunteers have received recognition for their combined 100 years of service to the RNLI at a presentation made by Chairman Roger Blown at the lifeboat station.
Speaking at the ceremony, Station Chairman Roger Blown said: 'I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to present these awards today. For anyone in this day and age to show such commitment and dedication in volunteering is amazing.'
During the course of his service Denis, who began as a shore helper in 1967, has held the roles of D Class crew and helmsman, emergency mechanic, second coxswain and coxswain of the Rother Class lifeboat
The Hampshire Rose until the boat was withdrawn in from service in 1990, Atlantic senior helmsman, Deputy Launch Authority and has been Lifeboat Operations Manager since 2001.
Andy's service has followed a similar path after he joined as shore crew in 1966. Since then he has held the roles of Inshore lifeBoat crew member and helmsman, winchman, tractor driver, Atlantic helmsman, lifeboat training co-ordinator, Deputy Launch Authority and is now the station Administration Officer.
Speaking of his time Operations Manager Denis said: 'One of the most notable things is how the level of sophistication of the fleet, onboard equipment and level of training has changed and improved during my time.'
One of his most vivid memories was being present on the crew with Coxswain Bruce Brown in 1977 at the rescue of a cabin cruiser which was sinking on the Goodwin Sands. During the rescue, the second coxswain of the lifeboat became trapped in the sinking vessel's cabin and was rescued by Coxswain Brown for which he received an RNLI Bronze Medal.
'One of my saddest memories' he added, 'was the retirement of the station's all weather lifeboat
Hampshire Rose of which I was the last coxswain in 1990, although with the subsequent addition of an Atlantic 21 inshore lifeboat the station began to get more service calls.'
Recalling his service, Administration Officer Andy said: 'It’s difficult to think of many particular calls though one of my more memorable rescues was that of 11 divers whose boat had broken down off St Margaret's Bay and ferrying them safely to shore.'
Andy also holds a local record of attending three service calls as Helmsman in one day.
RNLI media contacts
- Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station 07906 623037 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLIThe Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLIFor more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiriesMembers of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.