Burnham-On-Sea RNLI’s new deputy launch authority has been honoured during the lifeboat station’s annual open meeting.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Ricky Holmes thanked the recently-appointed Deputy Launch Authority Matt Davies for his dedication to the service by handing him the newly-introduced Operations Manager’s Award for the most effort for the station.

Matt was a founder member of BARB and transferred to the RNLI when it started its lifeboat service at Burnham in 2003. He had served loyally as a mechanic, tractor driver and boat crew since then, despite various severe health difficulties over the years.

Ricky said of Matt: “He has never once complained and has turned up for training when perhaps he should have been staying at home resting. When I asked him to become a member of the launch team, his reply was typical, and he said ‘I will do whatever is needed of me’.”

Ricky went on to outline how 2012 had been a fairly busy year with some very testing incidents and the crew had come through with a lot of credit, including the heart-rending incident when Dylan Cecil came to grief at the town’s jetty.

During the evening, guest speaker Squadron Leader Hugh Pearce from RAF Chivenor talked about the helicopter service’s capabilities and recent operations.

The meeting also heard from Chairman Graham Wills, Community Fundraising manager Frances Warren and education officer Tony Deahl.

 
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