
Bembridge RNLI Awards evening
Over 100 members and their families of Bembridge RNLI were at Brading Haven Yacht Club yesterday evening (Tuesday 16 January) to celebrate the presentation of long service medals and an ‘Excellence in Volunteering’ award.
The evening opened with a welcome to all present by John Keyworth, the Station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager and a thank you to the Commodore, Flag Officers, members and staff of BHYC for allowing use of the Club. He then introduced Rob Faricey, Director of Safety and Independent Assurance for the RNLI, Ryan Hall, Head of SE Region, and James Kilburn (JK), Area 15 (Solent) Lifesaving Manager.
JK then went through some of the successes the Station had had over the last 12 months. These included a record number of Services (87), the checking of 182 Lifejackets, 4,182 water safety engagements, £73,500 income banked, £78,500 in shop sales and 29,000 visitors.
Ryan then commented that seeing so many people attending the evening certainly demonstrated that Bembridge RNLI really was ‘One Crew’. He then awarded Long Service medals to Gareth Millington (joined the shore crew on 28 February 2003); and to James Pink (joined as an Inshore Lifeboat trainee crew on 2 September 2003, and became a helm in 2006; also was a member of the All-Weather Lifeboat crew, a Navigator and in 2011 became a Deputy Coxswain, and a Training Assessor in 2019). Finally, to John Keyworth who had joined as Shore Crew in 1981 and subsequently was a member of both the Inshore and All-Weather Lifeboats in 1985. After a break he re-joined in 2003 initially as a Deputy Launch Authority and Lifeboat Press Officer and subsequently took over as the LOM in 2020.
Rob then presented Martin Norman with an ‘Excellence in Volunteering’ award for all the work he had carried out over the last 5 years in establishing the ‘Safe to Shout’ initiative (which highlights the importance of travelling safely to a shout) that now forms part of every new crew members initial training.
‘In recognition of his commitment and dedication to the RNLI. Martin was instrumental in the development of the ‘Safe to Shout’ video. He identified the need for improved training on travelling safely to a shout , and worked tirelessly with the Safety Team to create the video which is now incorporated into RNLI training.
Martin has continuously displayed the RNLI values of being trustworthy, courageous, selfless and dependable. His contribution has helped the RNLI to save lives at sea.’
The evening finished with the Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group, Robin Ebsworth, thanking everyone for their support to the Station.
RNLI media contacts
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Mike Samuelson, Bembridge RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07785 593254 or [email protected]
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Beth Robson, RNLI Regional Media Manager London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
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For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer 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.