Off-duty RNLI volunteer receives Commendation from Met Police

In May last year crew member Mark, who works as a session musician, had been moving boats with friends on the Thames while off-duty when he heard a pan-pan call on the radio.

A woman had been found face down in the water, unconscious and not breathing.

Mark managed to recover her from the water and commenced CPR until she began breathing on her own again.

Last Friday at the American Embassy in London, Mark was given an OCU (Operational Command Unit) Commander’s Commendation for saving a life.

The Commendation is given to recognise individuals for acts of bravery that go above and beyond.

Mark said: ‘I would have been in no position to have helped if it wasn't for the superb training the RNLI has given me. To me it was the RNLI that helped save her. 

‘As volunteers we are never really off service and I felt a duty to do what I could to help.’

RNLI area operations manager for the Thames Simon Edwards said: ‘I’d like to take this opportunity to pass on my congratulations to Mark for his well-deserved Commendation.

‘His act last May in saving a person’s life really shows the typical selfless behaviour of all our volunteers and crew members across the RNLI.’