Abersoch RNLI volunteers presented with several distinctive awards.

Jo Partner, RNLI Head of Region for Wales and West, presented four of the volunteer crew members, Andy Gunby, Phill Wood, Lee Oliver and Sion Flynn, with the prestigious Medical Director Commendation Certificate in recognition of their efforts in the dramatic cliff rescue of a climber who had fallen 40 feet whilst climbing at Cilan Headland on 19 May 2024.

The first information came through from HM Coastguard at 9.55pm and the ‘Peter & Ann Setten’ Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched within ten minutes with the four crew members on board.

In this was a multi-agency response the lifeboat crew were guided by the local coastguard team who were on-scene on the cliff top above the casualty’s location. The location was difficult to access both from the shoreline and vertically however the lifeboat was manoeuvred to allow the crew to gain access and assess the female casualty.

Helicopter support was requested to assist with the extrication of the casualty. On arrival the Coastguard helicopter team came to the decision that due to the difficult location and the risk of falling rocks from the downdraught and they proceeded to land the helicopter at nearby Porth Ceiriad. The lifeboat crew transported the winchman to the scene. After being carefully assessed and stabilised the casualty was then placed on a stretcher and transferred via the lifeboat to the waiting helicopter. She was then transported to Ysbyty Gwynedd.

The crew returned to the lifeboat station at 1.17am.

From the Medical Director:

‘Your collective actions resulted in a person aided. Your determination and commitment to delivering excellent casualty care and saving lives at sea is recognised, and truly represents the values of the RNLI.’

Further presentations followed and Jo presented Martin Turtle, Abersoch RNLI volunteer Launch Authority with an Excellence in Volunteering Award in recognition of his contribution during the absence of the Lifeboat Operations Manager, Wyn Jones, from September 2024 until June 2025. Martin very ably stepped into the role and seamlessly undertook the responsibilities providing unwavering support to the station team and provided the RNLI with assurance of continued delivery of safe and effective operations from the station, and provided support to the wider RNLI teams and activities in the community, not least the hugely successful New Years Day Dip which, due to the weather, was hastily rearranged with little fuss but significant impact to the safety of the participants and was a hugely successful engagement and fundraising event. On Wyn’s return, Martin has continued to provide invaluable support to Wyn and the station, continuing to demonstrate the 4 core values of the RNLI in all he does.

Long Service Awards were presented to Andy Gunby, volunteer helm and Dee Hancox, volunteer Box Secretary in recognition of their 20 years of dedicated service to the RNLI.

Andy first turned up at the station in the summer of 2004 and every Thursday evening he swept up and cleaned the boat after each training exercise. He officially signed his paperwork and after completing his training became a crew member in early 2005 going on to become a helm in 2014 and more recently Andy has also been appointed as a Lifeboat Training Assessor (LTA).

From Andy Gunby:

‘It’s been an absolute pleasure to gain a second family and learn a vast amount of both boat and life skills from crew members past and present. Joining the crew has given me many different experiences not only in Abersoch but also assisting operationally at New Brighton RNLI.’

‘In my role as LTA it is a pleasure to watch new crew members flourish. Hopefully I can pass on some of my knowledge and experiences for years to come in line with the RNLI moto of ‘train one, save many’. It’s a pleasure to receive my medal. It is a testimony to all the wonderful people in the RNLI and all the other supporting agencies.’

Dee received her award in recognition of her commitment to fundraising at Abersoch RNLI. She has been Box Secretary for the past 15 years having served on the Fundraising Committee for five years previously. The Box Secretary is responsible for maintaining and collecting money donated in the collection boxes located in the various businesses around the village. The role is crucial as the RNLI is funded by public donations and these volunteers play a key part in gathering funds to help save lives at sea.

From Dee Hancox:

‘I was very pleased to receive my reward’.

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.

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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.