Long service award night held for Bridlington RNLI volunteers

The presentations were made by Bridlington lifeboat President Richard Dunk BEM and the stations Lifeboat Operations Manager Keith Turnbull.

In thanks for his service to Bridlington lifeboat and on his operational retirement, Ken Smith was awarded an end of service certificate for almost 40 years dedicated service to the RNLI in Bridlington.

In 1980 Ken enrolled as one of the inshore lifeboat crew, a position he held for 17 years. During this time he received an award as one the inshore lifeboat crew that saved three men off the East coast in gale force winds.
As one of the stations offshore crew he was chosen to travel to the RNLI headquarters in Poole to be trained on the then new Mersey class lifeboat 'Peggy and Alex Caird' before sailing her home to Bridlington.
Ken later became a tractor driver, a position that would see him launch and recover the lifeboat and those on board safely in many difficult conditions.

Ken and his wife Julie are still involved with the lifeboat station and help with many fundraising events.

Senior Helm Ad Trower received a 20 year service badge which honours his many distinguished Inshore lifeboat calls over the years, along with his role with the RNLI flood rescue team. On the arrival of the station's new Shannon lifeboat, Ad - already one of the lifeboat crew - was passed as a Shannon launch and recovery driver and Head Launcher.

Andy Rodgers, one of the station's four Coxswains, also received a 20 year service badge. Andy is a qualified mechanic and has experience of sailing both lifeboats and yachts around the British Isles. His late father Brian was one of Bridlington lifeboat's Deputy Launching Authorities and for a time lifeboat Honorary Secretary.

Five year ties are not awarded by the RNLI but are a local award for crew members who have completed five years service at Bridlington. The four recipients were Adam Morland, Ash Traves, Gln Lambert and Andy Shewan.

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.