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Dungeness RNLI volunteers receive meritorious recognition at blessing service

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday 15 September, volunteers, staff, members of the local community and supporters of Dungeness lifeboat station gathered for the annual blessing of the lifeboat at Dungeness Lifeboat Station.

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The 6 crew receiving their vellum service certificates for a mass rescue in 2022

The service was held by Jack Greenhalf, Vicar of the Romney Marsh benefice, newly appointed Chaplain for Dungeness Lifeboat Station and new shore crew member.

This year was a little different to the norm due to Dungeness’ lifeboat The Morrell being away for maintenance and relief Shannon-class lifeboat Cosandra was blessed in her place.

After the service of blessing, updates were given to the congregation by members of the Lifeboat Management Group including Lifeboat Management Group Chair, Peter Thomas. Speeches covered the various service calls this year, crew training, fundraising accomplishments, media highlights, celebrations of volunteer commitment and much more.

Special thanks were given by Vicky Morgan, Lifeboat Operations Manager, to the volunteers for their outstanding dedication and commitment to saving lives at sea, to their families for their sacrifice and support and to key members of the local community that help support the charity’s work.

A significant part of the evening was the presentation of 6 Vellum Service Certificates to crew members Chris Hills, Stuart Richardson, Dominic Gregory, Marc Francis, Caroline Morris and Jason Adams. These certificates, presented by Area Operations Manager Jason Carroll, were in recognition of the meritorious action in the rescue of multiple persons in the English Channel on the 14th December 2022. During this service call, the lifeboat was on service for 21 hours in total and the crew saved 6 lives.

Also on show was the Thanks on Vellum accorded to the late coxswain Stuart Adams for the same service call on 14 December 2022. The certificate on vellum was presented to the Adams family by HRH The Princess Royal at the RNLI Buckingham Palace Garden Party in May 2024.

Volunteers Martin Flack, Mark Richardson and Stuart Richardson were presented with Excellence in Volunteering Awards, signed by the RNLI Chief Executive and in recognition of their dedication and commitment to keeping the station on service and being a constant source of knowledge, support and encouragement to the station volunteers.

Fundraising volunteer and donation box-collector Vivien Foster received recognition for her long service to the RNLI, receiving her 20 year award for over 20 years’ service to the institution.

Vivien has worked tirelessly over the years managing the many RNLI collection boxes placed in local shops and businesses around the area, ensuring funds are collected on a regular basis. She has raised thousands of pounds for the RNLI over the years, a very commendable achievement.

Full time Senior Station Technician, Steve Cardew, received his 20 year long service award, celebrating 2 decades of commitment to the lifesaving service. Steve has served the RNLI as a volunteer at Dungeness Lifeboat Station, Thames Commander at Gravesend Lifeboat Station and now serves Dungeness ensuring the lifeboat and launch vehicle are maintained and in good working order ready to be called upon at a moment’s notice.

Vicky Morgan, Lifeboat Operations Manager, says: ‘Special thanks go to The City of Canterbury Band who gave their time to provide the service with their fantastic music, which provides the best setting for our celebrations and to Fr. Jack who held a fantastic and entertaining blessing service which we all enjoyed.

Thanks also go out to our local dignitaries, friends of station and members of the public who attended the service. Your support is truly appreciated.

Year on year, our volunteers show such great commitment to the cause of saving lives at sea, today has been a great opportunity to recognise them for their outstanding achievements.’

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.

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The lifeboat being blessed by Fr. Jack Greenhalf

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Stuart Richardson, Martin Flack and Mark Richardson with the Excellence in Volunteering Awards

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Fundraiser Vivien Foster accepting her 20 year long service award

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Senior Station Technician Steve Cardew accepting his 20 year long service award

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Fr. Jack sporting his RNLI wellies, mixing his shore crew and ecclesiastical roles!

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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