Bridlington RNLI volunteer retires after 16 years’ service

The Bridlington Lifeboat Station is looking for a new Chairman of the Station’s Lifeboat Management Group as the current Chairman, David Garnett, leaves the post at the end of 2022 after many years of service.

David moved to Bridlington in 2006 and soon became more than aware of the fantastic commitment of the Lifeboat Service. He offered his voluntary services manning the shops and on the retirement of the then Lifeboat Administration Officer, accepted the invitation from the then Chairman, Richard Dunk, to join the Lifeboat Management Group as the new LAO for the charity that saves lives at sea.

His early life was in the Armed Forces and because of this he brought a wealth of administrative experience to the LMG and he had that natural ability to get the best out of people. When Richard Dunk stepped down as Chairman in 2017 David was the natural successor and despite taking on the role in the difficult circumstances, especially with the Covid Pandemic, David continued to lead a successful team of volunteers raising substantial funds to ensure the crew who operate the Lifeboat Search and Rescue much needed funds for the vital equipment to carry out their roles.

The LMG is responsible for the day to day running of all non-operational matters at the Station. Its coverage and responsibilities are wide ranging from Finance, Fund Raising, School visits, Press Releases to name just a few and David, as Chairman, contribution to the success of the Group has been immense. The Station are extremely grateful for David’s contribution and wish him well for the future with the hope he will continue to support the Bridlington Lifeboat Station.

Davis’s last day as was 31 December 2022 and is pictured with his wife Valarie at his last public appearance at Hull Minster for the Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on 18 December 2022 when he represented the RNLI.

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For more information, please contact Mike Milner, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or call:07751-054052.

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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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