Recognition from the RNLI for the way Cowes Lifeboat Station involves the general public was among the certificates presented at a recent ceremony outside the boathouse.
The ‘innovation and commitment’ of the station’s Visits and Education Team towards enhancing public involvement, including teaching children about water safety at either the station or in local schools, was recognised by 1 certificate signed by the RNLI’s Chief Executive, Paul Boissier. Received by the station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Mark Southwell, it is now proudly displayed on a wall at the station.
Mark was also one of the individual recipients of the newly introduced ‘excellence in volunteering’ certificates, in acknowledgement of his management of the successful transfer in 2008 of the Cowes Lifeboat from an independent operation to becoming part of the RNLI. Also receiving the certificate were former independent lifeboat crew members Steve Dines and Paul Brace. Steve is now a Deputy Launch Officer and Paul 1 of the 2 lifeboat mechanics.
Other ‘excellence’ certificates went to Penny Maclean, who heads the Visits and Education Team and Press Officer, George Chastney, who had a similar voluntary post with the independent lifeboat.
In addition, certificates were presented to crew members in recognition of their completion of sea safety courses at the RNLI’s Poole-based college, for skills ranging from basic sea safety, to capsize survival and DC electrics. Those awarded include mechanic John McBride and crew members Anne Simkin, Martin Calmon, Piers Tyler, Dominic Roberton and Andrea Vaughan.
Taking turns to hand over various certificates were National Council member Andrew Cooper, Philanthropy Manager Ali O’Neil and Jenny Clune, who together with her late husband donated in 1988 the first lifeboat to the former Cowes Independent Station and is now a member of the RNLI’s East Cowes Guild branch.
