Looe RNLI volunteer receives British Empire Medal

Former Looe RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, David John Haines was awarded a British Empire Medal in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours for services to Maritime Safety and the RNLI.

Yesterday afternoon, Sunday 6 April 2025, Looe RNLI volunteers welcomed His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, to The Albatross Boathouse, Looe Lifeboat Station for David’s presentation. The Lord Lieutenant was accompanied by Councillor Pauline Giles, Chairman of Cornwall Council and Lieutenancy clerk Charlie Sims.

With the charity’s inshore lifeboats forming a backdrop on the slipway, the Albatross boathouse was filled with David’s family, friends, RNLI crew and former crew, together with members of the station’s shop, visits and fundraising teams and members of our community for the presentation. After a warm welcome from our current Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Palfrey the formal ceremony started with Councillor Pauline Giles reading David’s citation ‘a humble hero whose legacy transcends accolades, his selfless devotion is an inspiration to everyone in guaranteeing a path of service, courage, and kindness for generations to come.’ Presenting David with his medal Sir Edward praised David’s 32 years of service to the lifeboats in Looe, saying that during his tenure Looe’s lifeboats have been launched on service 1,027 times, crews have assisted 826 people and saved 65 lives.

In thanking the Lord Lieutenant, David mentioned how humbled he felt walking into the boathouse, to find so many people assembled. He went on to thank Clive and our crew for all their hard work in organising the afternoon’s ceremony and making it such a special occasion.

After proposing a vote of thanks, Clive invited everyone to enjoy a cream tea, which was served by our crew, who would like to thank Rodda’s, Cornish Tea and Coffee and Quayside Fresh for donating the clotted cream, milk, tea, coffee and jam for the cream teas.

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Notes to editors

Photos:

· (image 7587) David Haines receiving his British Empire Medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· (image 7589) David Haines receiving his British Empire Medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· (image 7592) David Haines with the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· (image 7744) David Haines with the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, standing next to the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· (image 7746) David Haines with the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, standing next to the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· (image 7753) David Haines BEM
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information:

Presentation of Long Service Medals and the King’s Coronation medals

· After the formal presentation to David Haines of his British Empire Medal, Sir Edward Bolitho was asked to present 2 long service medals and 17 King’s Coronation Medals to Looe RNLI crew members - this will be the subject of a further News Release.

David John Haines

· From the moment Looe Lifeboat Station reopened its doors in 1992, David has provided selfless service and steadfast commitment to saving lives at sea. Over the past three decades, he has held volunteer roles across all levels within the station, initially as lifeboat crew and then helm, before stepping into the pivotal role of Lifeboat Operations Manager at a time when the station needed strong leadership and stability.

· At a time of tragedy when a 19-year-old lost his life unexpectedly in 2009, he emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience in Looe, driving an appeal to fund and name a lifeboat after the young man. Over the past two decades, Looe has been well served by two D class lifeboats named in memory of Ollie Naismith.

· David also gave his time generously to advocating the RNLI’s lifeguard service in south east Cornwall in the busy summer months, ensuring the lifeboat crew and lifeguards train together regularly to achieve the maximum lifesaving effect. This also extended to supporting the lifeguards in their annual rescue board challenge, a gruelling open water paddle using nothing but their arms to raise essential funds for the charity.

· His passion for lifesaving stems from a lifelong connection to the sea. In 1979 David’s brother John, aged 19, tragically died following a fishing accident at sea. Ever since David has worked tirelessly on and around the water playing his part in water safety. David has been a boat owner since the age of 15 and has worked as a commercial fisherman, as well as serving as a Looe Harbour Commissioner. He also works on the fish market and can usually be found on East Looe quay helping the fishing community, or on his ferryboat Emma Louise.

· His contagious enthusiasm has inspired countless individuals to join the RNLI, including his own family members who have followed in his footsteps.

· He was recognised with a special Rotary Award for his vocational and voluntary work in 2018, and the RNLI’s 30-year Long Service Award in 2022.

· He retired from operational service on his 70^th birthday in October 2024 and has left an outstanding lifesaving legacy as the crew embark on a new chapter. Fortunately, the community has continued to benefit from his unparalleled expertise and wise counsel as he has taken up a new role as Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group, representing the wider activities of the RNLI.

Looe Lifeboat Station

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/looe-lifeboat-station

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

Media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

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, X, TikTok 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.