Donate now

Four long service awards for Dungeness RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteers of Dungeness RNLI celebrate their fellow crew’s accomplishments on receiving medals for long service and an admirable commitment to volunteering.

RNLI/Sarah Beck

Dungeness lifeboat station's long-serving volunteers

Martin Flack, who works as a lorry driver, joined the station in 2002 where he became part of the shore crew on the Mersey class lifeboat Pride and Spirit. After a few years, he progressed to being a launch vehicle driver and head launcher taking responsibility for launching the lifeboat from it’s carriage to the sea. Martin celebrates his 20-year long service medal as the station’s senior launch vehicle driver heading up the shore crew at station.

Simon Collins celebrates his 20-year medal as a key member of the boat crew and an exemplary navigator. Simon, with the nickname of ‘Simon the Diamond’ works for Kent Central Ambulance Service and dedicates his time helping people in both his full-time profession as well as volunteering for the RNLI and saving lives at sea.

Gravesend Lifeboat Station’s loss was the gain of Dungeness Lifeboat Station in December 2020 as Peter Birthright joined the station after an impressive 20 years as a full time Commander on the Thames, where he was also a Water Safety Adviser. After moving to Romney Marsh and beginning his new adventures in retirement, Peter started volunteering on the shore crew at Dungeness bringing a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm to the station.

Stuart Richardson is a key figure at Dungeness Lifeboat Station but has also served on Dover Lifeboat as Coxswain and was one of the first Commanders on the river Thames at Tower Lifeboat Station, the busiest lifeboat station in the country. Stuart began his RNLI career at the age of 17, joining the Dungeness crew alongside his father, Coxswain William Richardson and his brother Mark. Stuart has been on the sea for all of his life, growing up fishing and in his later career, he now manages windfarm vessels around the coast of the UK and in Europe. Stuart celebrates 30 years at the RNLI.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Vicky Morgan, says:

‘I am so proud of all volunteers at Dungeness who show such dedication and commitment to saving lives at sea. It has been a privilege to present our longer serving crew members with their well-deserved medals, showing commitment to the highest level.’

If you are interested in volunteering for Dungeness RNLI Lifeboat Station, we have a number or roles available both afloat and shore based. Please contact the station on 01797 320317 or [email protected] if you would like to take on a new challenge and become part of the charity that saves lives at sea.


Notes to Editors

· Dungeness lifeboat station has been running since 1826.

· The station received the first Shannon-class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet – The Morrell

· The station is famous for its Lady Launchers, local women and wives of the crew who helped launch the lifeboat in the 1950s.

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Sarah Beck, Dungeness Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07956 615429, Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 296252 or [email protected] or alternatively, Regional Media Manager Julie Rainey on 07827 358256 or [email protected]. RNLI Press Office is available 24/7 365 days a year on 01202 336789.

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, Twitter 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.

Categories