Humber RNLI Coxswain recognised in Queen’s New Year’s Honours
Portrait of Humber coxswain David (Spanish) Steenvorden.
Two of the team at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Humber lifeboat station are among those recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours announced on Friday 29 December.
Humber lifeboat station’s Coxswain David Steenvoorden, a RNLI crew member for over 30 years, has been awarded an MBE. David started as a volunteer at Cleethorpes lifeboat station in 1987 before joining the Humber crew three years later. He has now served there for over 26 years.
Over the years, David has been commended for his part in a number of significant rescues, the most notable of which being a Bronze Medal for gallantry. This award was in recognition of his exemplary courage, determination and fine seamanship displayed when the lifeboat crew rescued five canoeists in the Humber Estuary on 30 July 1989. They then went on to assist the yacht Serenus in a north-north-westerly storm, confused seas and driving rain.
David said: ‘I am walking around two feet off the ground today – I am gobsmacked and overwhelmed. You just go about your business in you job and then this pops up and I am so proud.I always say that a Coxswain is only as good as their crew so this is real recognition for the whole of our crew.’
Humber Lifeboat Station was also the inspiration for a highly regarded RNLI fundraiser who has been awarded a BEM. For over 37 years Richard Marriott, one of the most dedicated volunteer fundraisers within the charity, has raised close to £250,000.
Richard said; ‘It’s a great honour – totally unexpected and quite humbling. After 37 years of fundraising, it’s just magical and unbelievable to receive an award. I’m so proud.’
His passion for the RNLI was ignited when he first visited Humber Lifeboat Station. Being so impressed by the achievements of the lifeboat crew, he decided to do a sponsored slim. The satisfaction he got from his first fundraiser has never left him and he has worked tirelessly ever since.
RNLI Chief Executive Paul Boissier said: ‘The RNLI depends on the commitment, skill and courage of its volunteers, staff and fundraisers – and those that have been named in this year’s New Year Honours epitomise those qualities. I’m delighted that these wonderful and well-deserving people have been recognised.’
