New Year’s Honours for six RNLI volunteers

Six Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers have been recognised for their vital role in helping the charity save lives at sea through the New Year’s Honours.

A former lifeboat mechanic who now volunteers for the charity, a retired seagoing crew member who continues voluntary maintenance work, two volunteer lifeboat operations managers who oversee the day-to-day running of their respective lifeboat stations and two fundraising branch chairs who have raised vital funds to help save lives at sea, are among the RNLI recipients who have all been recognised for their incredible contribution to the charity.

“Following a challenging 2020, it is particularly pleasing to see these RNLI volunteers recognised in the New Year Honours list. Together, they personify the RNLI’s ‘One Crew’ ethos, representing the variety and diversity of roles,” says RNLI chief executive, Mark Dowie.

Philip Eaglen, shore crew and mechanic at RNLI Wells-next-the-Sea Lifeboat Station has given 51 years to saving lives at sea and is awarded with a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services.

Eaglen has held a number of roles including volunteer head tractor driver.

Michael Whistler, Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station volunteer for over 40 years, is awarded with a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services.

When Whistler began volunteering at Southend-on-Sea RNLI in 1979 aged 18, he had no seagoing experience, but very quickly responded to training and became an operational crew member. His roles at station have included station mechanic, helm and hovercraft pilot & commander.

Richard Griffiths, volunteer Lifeboat operations manager at Aberystwyth RNLI, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his charity work on the Wales coast after dedicating 47 years to saving lives at sea.

Griffiths has dedicated a total of 47 years to the RNLI and in the last 19 years has led the lifeboat station as volunteer lifeboat operations manager.

Edward Nuzum, volunteer lifeboat operations manager at The Lizard, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of the efficient running of the station and the smooth implementation of changes over the last 15 years to help maintain and enhance the lifesaving service on the South West coast.

Nuzum was personally responsible for ensuring the transition from a 14-knot to a 25-knot lifeboat was conducted in a manner that satisfied both the maritime standards of the RNLI and the ability of the crew, enhancing their skills and levels of professionalism. He organised the station into operating from two temporary facilities and subsequently, the newly built lifeboat station ensuring lifesaving capability was maintained.

Weston-super-Mare fundraising branch chair, Peter Elmont, has been involved with the RNLI for 26 years and has driven fundraising efforts and exceeded targets to achieve over £800,000 in three years. He has been awarded with a BEM.

Mary Thomas has dedicated 45 years to the charity and has contributed to saving lives at sea by raising funds as the chair at RNLI Cleethorpes Fundraising Branch and has been awarded with a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Under her service the branch has raised £750,000 for the RNLI and she is regularly seen out in all weathers with her collection box.