Hoylake RNLI volunteers recognised for lifesaving service totalling 80 years

Nigel Manley, Ros Whiteley-Jones, Dave Bates, Dave Noble and Huw Aldersey-Williams were presented with their awards on Thursday 27 August and Tuesday 1 September by Richard Martindale, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager. Fellow volunteer crew members had gathered at the lifeboat station to celebrate each of these achievements.

Nigel was presented with the RNLI Long Service Medal with a 40-year bar in recognition of his outstanding commitment to saving lives at sea.

Nigel joined Hoylake RNLI in 1981 at the age of 16 and is one of the station’s longest-serving volunteers, first serving under Coxswain Harry Jones. Over more than four decades of service, Nigel has served under seven coxswains and been part of the evolution of Hoylake RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats, from the station’s Rother class lifeboat Mary Gabriel to the Mersey class Lady of Hilbre and today’s Shannon class lifeboat Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood.

Ros, Dave, Dave and Huw were the first-ever Hoylake RNLI volunteers to be presented with the RNLI’s brand new 10-year service badge in recognition of a decade of lifesaving.

Ros joined Hoylake RNLI in 2016 and volunteers at the station alongside her two brothers on the station’s Shannon class lifeboat and Inshore Rescue Hovercraft Hurley Spirit. She has launched on many shouts and exercises, playing a key part in keeping people safe on our coast.

Dave Noble joined Hoylake RNLI in 2016 and volunteers as a crew member on the all-weather lifeboat and Inshore Rescue Hovercraft. He is currently training to become an ALB navigator and will be a familiar face to fans of BBC Two’s Saving Lives at Sea, appearing in two episodes featuring Hoylake RNLI rescues.

Dave Bates joined Hoylake RNLI in 2016 and also volunteers as a crew member on the lifeboat and hovercraft, as well as being a qualified hovercraft pilot. Passionate about drowning prevention, he has served as the station’s Water Safety Advisor and has had an important role engaging with young people locally about lifesaving skills.

Huw’s service with Hoylake RNLI also began in 2016 and he has volunteered as a shore crew member for over a decade. His role has been critical to ensuring the safe launch and recovery of the station’s lifeboat and hovercraft.

Following the presentation of the awards, Richard Martindale said:

‘These five crew members have all made an outstanding contribution to Hoylake RNLI over many years. It is a privilege to present these awards to Nigel, Ros, Dave, Dave and Huw in recognition of their dedication and commitment to saving lives at sea. On behalf of everyone at the station, I would like to congratulate them all and thank them for their exceptional service.’

Notes to editors

The RNLI has range of awards recognising the service and achievements of its volunteers. The Service Awards recognise the incredible contribution of volunteers specifically in relation to their length of service.

In 2026, the RNLI introduced its new service recognition for all volunteers reaching 1, 5 and 10 years' service to complement the existing Long Service Awards for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80-year milestones.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Dan Whiteley, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 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.