50 years’ dedication to Harwich RNLI awarded at sold out dinner dance evening

The evening, is a way to thank the whole team at Harwich and their families for the dedication they show year on year, as well as recognising the generous supporters, such as the night’s sponsors: Galloper Wind Farm, Cory Brothers, Frankwood Property Maintenance, Marvans Vegetation Management, and Landguard Engineering, making saving lives at sea a true community effort.

The evening began at 6:30pm with a three course meal, after which John Reason and Lee James were presented with Long Service Medals for 30 and 20 years respectively, by RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Graeme Richardson who said afterwards:

‘It is always a real privilege to be able to recognise long service, and this year is no exception with two long standing members of crew being recognised. I also look forward to celebrating later in the year with Station Coxswain Di Bush and shop volunteer Pam Lacey who both celebrate 20 years’ service in 2023.’

In his speech Harwich Lifeboat Operations Manager recounted the key achievements of a busy 2022 that saw the crew responded to 103 requests to launch, saving six lives, and helping many more. They also found time to train four new crew members while still achieving personal milestones in their own development plans, that notably saw Ady Pells qualify as a Helm, Meredith Scanlon and Mike Hender qualify as training assessors, and five crew members passing the RYA Day Skipper theory course.

As a keen supporter of the ‘One Crew’ ethos, Peter was keen to highlight in his speech the work going on behind the scenes, thanking those who give up their time voluntarily, in roles you don’t see on the television ensuring the smooth running of the station, and anchoring the RNLI within the community. These included Deputy Launch Authorities (DLA), fundraising committee members, shop volunteers, education team members, water safety team members, collection box collectors, Treasurer, Press Officer, and crew training co-ordinator.

‘A special thank you goes to you, our community, whose generosity covered the operational costs of the station. I am proud to say, saving lives at sea is a true community effort here at Harwich.'

Peter finished with a couple of interesting figures: 'Since Harwich officially had a lifeboat stationed here in 1821 (RNLI from 1876), bearing in mind the station was closed between 1917 and 1965, Harwich lifeboats have saved 905 lives having launched 3997 times, so this year it looks like we will hit a milestone of 4000 launches.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact:

Richard Wigley, RNLI Harwich volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07903424698 or [email protected],

Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office 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.

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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.