New Year’s Honour for RNLI Thames safety volunteer
RNLI volunteer safety officer John Soones has been awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for his invaluable work in preventing drowning along the Thames and for his efforts in trying to reduce the number of suicides on the river.
Working tirelessly with many partner organisations he has helped drive forward a wide range of safety initiatives to help reduce the number of drownings on the river. With Teddington Lifeboat station crew, he was instrumental in setting up the programme to train staff at riverside pubs and clubs on the Thames to use throwlines. This initiative has saved a number of lives on the river and the programme has now been taken up by the RNLI nationally.
A significant proportion of Thames lifeboat launches involve potential suicides. John initiated discussions with the Samaritans and other agencies to address this issue. John is also chair of the British Diving Safety Group. In partnership with the Group the RNLI developed a Diver Sea Survival course now offered at the Lifeboat College in Poole.
John said: ‘I’m delighted that the work I’ve done over the past ten years has been recognised in some way. I’m one member of a very big team – there are a lot of people walking around today who wouldn’t be otherwise because of the work we’ve done.’
Chiswick RNLI lifeboat station is the second busiest in the UK and Ireland. Since The RNLI search and rescue service on the Thames started in 2002, Chiswick Lifeboat has attended over 3,500 incidents and rescued over 1,730 people, and dozens of dogs. The RNLI is entirely funded by public donations.
RNLI media contacts
• David Clarke RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (Chiswick), 07951 21 0500 [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
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 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.