Lifeboat volunteers presented with Jubilee medals for 385 years of service

21 members of RNLI Ilfracombe's shore and boat crew were yesterday presented with medals for long service. The volunteers, who have each been with the lifeboats for between five and 30 years, were each awarded a medal as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. This has particular significance to lifeboat volunteers as Queen Elizabeth II has been the patron of the RNLI since her coronation and has herself given invaluable service to the charity.

The honoured volunteers included shore crew, boat crew, helms and coxswains of both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats, navigators, boat launchers, and tractor drivers. Between them, the crew members have given RNLI Ilfracombe a total of 385 years' service.

Station Mechanic, Leigh Hanks recognised this as being a very proud moment for the RNLI. "This station is built on its volunteer crew. Without these men and women giving up their time to train for their roles and answer their pagers to attend rescues, we would not be able to do our job of saving lives at sea. We know that being an RNLI crew member is a big undertaking, and we are extremely grateful to all our volunteers and very proud to be honoured in our Queen's Jubilee year."

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Gudrun Limbrick, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Ilfracombe RNLI, on 07713430327 or [email protected]

About RNLI Ilfracombe

There has been a lifeboat in Ilfracombe Harbour for nearly 200 years. We currently have 49 volunteers, one paid member of staff and two lifeboats – the small, manoeuvrable ILB (inshore lifeboat) named The Deborah Brown II and the large, self-righting ALB (all-weather lifeboat) called The Barry and Peggy High Foundation. Our current lifeboat house was opened in 1996. We provide a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week search and rescue service.

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 over 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 142,200 lives.

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.