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Queensferry RNLI Trainee Helm receives award for Meritorious Conduct

Lifeboats News Release

A Queensferry RNLI Trainee Helm has been awarded a Divisional Commander's Commendation, by Police Scotland's Fife Division, for his involvement in saving a male's life.

Dean Hildersley, Trainee Helm stood outside Queensferry RNLI station with the lifeboat in the background.

RNLI/ Queensferry RNLI

Dean Hildersley, Trainee Helm at Queensferry RNLI station

Dean Hildersley, who has been a volunteer for 5 years at Queensferry RNLI, accepted the award at the Division Headquarters in Fife, with Search and Rescue partner Billy Boyle from South Queensferry Coastguard, for administering immediate casualty care to an individual who had entered the water.

The casualty was received at the Hawes Pier by boat. Dean and Billy immediately boarded and proceeded with casualty care until the Scottish Ambulance Service arrived. The collaborated effort in this rescue, with the swift response by both Dean and Billy, resulted in the male returning home after a lengthy stay in hospital.

Dean Hildersley, said 'It may have been my name on the invitation, however I accept this award for all the volunteers who take time to attend shouts. You never know what you are about to face when the pager sounds. It could have been any one of us attending it.'

Dave Smart, Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: the station are very pleased for Dean and Billy on receiving this commendation. They both valued members of the Search and Rescue family at South Queensferry.'

Notes to editors

  • The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
  • The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
  • Queensferry RNLI is based at Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, EH30 9TB. The lifeboat station was founded in 1967 and the volunteer crew use an inshore Atlantic 85 B class lifeboat Jimmie Cairncross.
  • To learn more about the lifeboat station visit; https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/queensferry-lifeboat-station

Photo Credits

Photo 1 Dean Hildersley, Trainee Helm at Queensferry RNLI station

Photo 2 Dean Hildersley, Trainee Helm, Queensferry RNLI, receiving his award at Police Scotland's Fife Divisional Headquarters

All photos should be credited RNLI/ Queensferry RNLI.

RNLI Media Contacts

Julie Dominguez, Lifeboat Press Officer, Queensferry Lifeboat Station, [email protected]

Adele Allan, Lifeboat Press Officer, Queensferry Lifeboat Station, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Dean Hildersley, Trainee Helm at Queensferry RNLI station, receiving his award at Fife Divisional Headquarters.

RNLI/Queensferry RNLI

Dean Hildersley, Trainee Helm at Queensferry RNLI station, receiving his award at Fife Divisional Headquarters.

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.

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