End of an era at Lymington RNLI LIfeboat Station
Local dignitaries, friends and colleagues, crew past and present, together with representatives of the RNLI senior management gathered at Lymington Town Sailing Club on the evening of Monday 22 October to pay tribute to Mike Webb who retires after 40 years involvement with Lymington RNLI station.
Mike joined the Lymington RNLI Lifeboat station forty years ago whilst working in Royal Lymington Yacht Club and served us in the following capacities:
Deputy Launching Authority: 1987 – 1997
Honorary Secretary: 1997 – 2003
Lifeboat Operations Manager: 2003 – 2013
Deputy Launching Authority: 2013 – 2018
Glowing tributes to Mikes efforts over the years on behalf of the station and particularly his time spend in ensuring the building of the current station went to plan, were offered by: Nick Hayward current Lifeboat Operations Manager, Andrew Woods; Regional Operations Policy Manager representing George Rawlinson who could not be with us and Eddie Donaldson; Treasurer and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
In response Mike reflected on his time with the RNLi, and how the technology and operating processes has changed. Gone where maroons, everyone has a pager and a mobile phone. Reporting is instant, whether to Headquarters or onto Social Media. Boats are bigger, faster and heavier and Health and Safety is paramount.
Presentation of an illuminated scroll was made by; Eddie Donaldson, Treasurer and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees with a large box of something special being presented later by the crew.
Notice to Editors:
· For over 53 years, Lymington RNLI Lifeboat has provided search, rescue and lifesaving capability in the western Solent, Needles Channel and eastern sector of Christchurch Bay.
· Lymington RNLI’s own Atlantic 85 lifeboat (B-882) David Bradley is off station for investigation into an electronic systems anomaly.
RNLI Media Contacts:
- Peter Mills, Lymington RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07767 213583 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 email: [email protected]
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.
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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.