A 22-year old member of a lifeboat crew in west Dorset has won an award after taking over a new position.
Sam Ellis became the first crew member in the Lyme Regis RNLI, and possibly anywhere in the RNLI, to become navigator of an inshore lifeboat.
The volunteer crew member was given the award of Crew’s Crew at the local RNLI’s Christmas party on Saturday, December 9.
Lifeboat training co-ordinator, Jon Broome, spoke of his pride in Mr Ellis’ achievement since the new position was rolled out by the RNLI from March 2023.
Crew members, families and friends gathered at the annual event, held at the Harbour Inn to watch Mr Ellis pick up the award.
Long serving volunteer Elliott Herbert had announced that since 2018, the lifeboat had launched 194 times, helping 100 people to safety whilst saving five lives.
This year has seen the crew answer 54 calls for help, which they say is close to an annual record.
The awards night also so long service medals presented to three members of the lifeboat crew, Andy Butterfield, Elliot Herbert and Richard Beviss who between them have volunteered a total of 70 years.
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