Commendations for Hartlepool RNLI lifeboat crew

Robbie Maiden, Jordan Craddy, Craig Pinder, Garry Waugh, Jake Oates, Kayleigh Turner, Colm Simpson, Glen Pearson and Tom Collins were presented with framed certificates during a presentation at the Ferry Road lifeboat station recently.

Robbie Maiden who was coxswain of the lifeboat at the time said
'It's really nice to receive something like this but there is a lot of hard work and commitment from all the other crew and officials at the station who play their part in incidents on these occasions. It's also good to know that Darren is on the mend and back at sea.
I would also like to mention the local Coastguard teams and the skill of the Coastguard helicopter crew and their paramedic Neil Cooper who worked with us during the incident. It really was a great team effort.'

Recalling the incident 58 year old fisherman Darren Greenwood of Hartlepool said 'We were about 15 miles off Hartlepool and the sea conditions were poor as we began hauling the catch up when a wave caught the boat which caused the net to swing out then back again which is when it hit me and crushed me against the steelwork. I've been a fisherman for 40 years and have never had an accident like this before. My injuries were a dislocated shoulder, 4 broken ribs, damaged teeth, fractured collar bone, 2 collapsed lungs and a crush injury to my leg. I am still in medical care.
Despite being in a lot of pain I do remember the two RNLI crew members coming aboard the boat which wasn't easy due to the weather conditions at the time. They were very calm and reassured me I would be okay as they administered first aid. I'm very grateful to them and all the volunteers who helped at the time as well as the Coastguard paramedic.'

Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Steve Pounder said 'I am very proud of our volunteer crew for their commitment, selflessness and bravery especially on a job like this one was incredible. The excellent training the RNLI provide certainly paid off on a really horrible day that tested the coxswain and all the crew. It was a pleasure to present the commendations to all those involved.'

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers had been paged at 8.57am on Friday 22 March 2024 to assist fishing boat skipper Darren Greenwood who had been injured when on his fishing boat fishing boat which was fifteen miles off Hartlepool.

His crew member called the Coastguard for assistance and the all-weather lifeboat Betty Huntbatch was tasked by Humber Coastguard at 9.10am to launch and was alongside the fishing boat 20 minutes later where two RNLI crew members Craig Pinder and Jordan Craddy were placed aboard the vessel where Darren was assessed and casualty care administered.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.