A visit to the Ramsgate station from Rob Aggas, the Senior Operation Manager for the RNLI, provided a perfect opportunity to present Medical Commendation certificates to six volunteers
Rob Aggas was at the station to discuss the timetable for class conversion training as the current Trent class Esme Anderson is to be replaced later in the year with a Tamar class Diamond Jubilee.
As most of the crew, including the support teams, were in attendance it was a rare opportunity for station Chairman Eric Burton to make the presentation of a Medical Director Commendation volunteer crew, Paul Ionescu, Tim Burrell-Saward, Jason Parrott, Wayne Goldfinch, Maz Critchley and Josh Mace, who sadly was not present so his award was collected by his father Phill Mace.
The details of the commendation referred back to an incident that occurred in late March 2022 and acknowledged the exceptional delivery of casualty care providing aid to a person who had entered the water to save his dog, and then sadly lost his own life in the attempt.
The Commendation sums up with these words: “Although the outcome was not successful, this does not detract from the professionalism shown by yourselves and the rest of the crew who put all their training into action.
“Your determination and commitment to delivering excellent casualty care and saving lives at sea is recognised and truly represent the values of the RNLI.”
Coxswain Ian Cannon said: “This was a perfect example of a situation when all of our training came into use. The RNLI provides exceptional training so it becomes second nature for our crew to react correctly in any given circumstance. The Station is proud of all its volunteer crew but it’s very special when a Commendation is given out.”