A TEAM of volunteers have been recognized for their work saving lives at sea.
The award was presented to 13 volunteers, each with a minimum of five years of service, to recognize their work for the charity.
Jane King, High Sheriff of East Sussex, presented the Platinum Jubilee Medal to those who were able to attend the Newhaven RNLI Rescue Station in Newhaven Port on Tuesday.
The team ranges from 23 to 66, with some of the volunteers dedicating 40 years of their lives to the charity.
Jane King and Nick Gentry who is navigator/crew
Jane King said: “On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, the community of Newhaven, visitors to our county, those working on the water and all those enjoying the Sussex coast, we thank you.
“It is an honor to present these commemorative medals and to recognize the important work of these volunteers.”
The High Sheriff also recognized the support of family and friends who helped “make volunteering at this level possible.”
There was also a tour of the boat by Lewis Arnold, helmsman
The medal follows a long history of medals being awarded in celebration of the Royal Jubilee.
The Newhaven team are among 4,500 RNLI volunteers and frontline staff to receive the medal.
Nick Gentry, Navigator Mechanic, who has been with Newhaven RNLI for 39 years, said: “It is a great honor to receive such a significant award and to be recognized as part of the many generations of lifesavers who have built the legacy of this charity .”
From left: Lewis Arnold, James Johnson, Alvaro Rodriguez, Billy Hipperson, Gary Marsh, Lee Blacknell, Nick Gentry and John Prout on behalf of Henry Prout
Lee Blacknell, Second Mate, who served with Newhaven RNLI for 19 years, said: “This commemorative medal is a testament to the hard work, courage and determination of our crews.
“They drop everything and venture out in all weathers to save lives at sea.”
Two other awards were presented by the High Sheriff, a 40-year Long Service Award to Lifeboat Superintendent Roger Cohen, 66.
David and Elizabeth Acland near Newhaven
Roz Ashton, press officer for the Newhaven Lifeboat, also received an award for outstanding service in volunteer service.
Roger Cohen MBE said: “The journey from Crew Trainee to Lifeboat Operations Manager – volunteering in Brighton, Tower and Newhaven – continues to bring me immense satisfaction in fulfilling my part in the one crew working together to save lives at sea.”
A tour of Newhaven’s all-weather lifeboat, the David and Elizabeth Acland, was also given.
Everyone smiles as they accept their awards
One of the crew’s most recent rescues took place near the cliffs of the Seven Sisters when they were called to rescue a person from a yacht that had anchored and become stuck on rocks near Birling Gap.
There were a total of 13 RNLI crews that received the Platinum Award.
These are Lewis Arnold (helmsman mechanic), Lee Blacknell (second mate), Roger Cohen MBE (lifeboat operations manager), David Collins-Williams (assistant launch manager), Mark Ford (assistant launch manager), Nick Gentry (navigator/crew), Billy Hipperson (Crew), James Johnson (Navigator/Crew), Gary Marsh (Deputy Launch Authority), Francis Nicholls (Lifeboat Medical Advisor), Henry Prout (Crew), Alvaro Rodriguez (Crew) and Peter Todd (Mechanic/Crew) .
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/20600845.newhaven-rnli-volunteers-receive-award-long-service/?ref=rss Newhaven RNLI volunteers receive award for years of service