Hoylake RNLI marks volunteers’ 50 years of service saving lives at sea

Hoylake RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Dave Whiteley BEM, has retired, bringing to a close half a century of commitment to the lifesaving charity. 

At a training exercise on Tuesday, 27 January, Dave was presented with the RNLI’s Long Service Medal with a 50-year bar and received his Certificate of Service from Sam Holliday, Interim Head of the RNLI Wales, West & Isle of Man Region.

The RNLI’s Chief Operating Officer, Andy Jordan, thanked Dave for his decades of volunteering and the huge impact he has had on his community in a special video message.

Going back to January 1976, Dave first joined Hoylake Lifeboat Stationon his 17th birthday, following in the footsteps of his father, Tank Whiteley, who himself served at the station for 55 years. Dave has helped save over 92 lives while at sea throughout his dedicated volunteering.

During his seagoing career, Dave served aboard Hoylake RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats, from the Rother class lifeboat Mary Gabriel and the Mersey class Lady of Hilbre to the Shannon class Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood. 

Dave held many operational roles across his time volunteering, including navigator, Assistant Mechanic, Second Coxswain and notably as Coxswain from 2001 to 2016. During his 15 years commanding the lifeboat, he led the crew through many rescues and played a key role as a figurehead for the station’s £2 million fundraising appeal between 2007 and 2009, which helped to fund the construction of the current lifeboat station and the introduction of the Shannon class lifeboat. 

Dave was proud to be at the helm when the Shannon class first arrived at Hoylake in 2014.  In 2016, Dave was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours, recognising his outstanding service to maritime safety upon stepping down as Coxswain.

He then became Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM), serving in this role for 10 years through some significant developments, including the arrival on station of the Inshore Rescue Hovercraft Hurley Spirit in 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved to be the busiest period for rescues on record for the station despite unprecedented challenges.

One of the most demanding shouts of Dave’s career came in 1992 while serving as navigator under Coxswain John McDermott aboard the Lady of Hilbre. The lifeboat was tasked to assist the Polish tall ship Warszawska Nike, which had been caught in a severe gale en route to Liverpool. During this time, the crew spent almost 12 hours at sea in extremely challenging conditions, with wind gusts reaching hurricane force. Following the successful rescue and safe arrival of the vessel in Liverpool, the RNLI crew were commended for their seamanship and professionalism. 

Dave’s service has been steadfastly supported by his wife Julie, herself a committed RNLI fundraiser. Julie ran the refreshments stall and team at the station’s open days for many years and played a crucial role in overseeing the station’s efforts in the £2 million fundraising appeal. She also organised countless memorable events. For her dedication, Julie was awarded the RNLI’s Gold Badge.

Dave and Julie were both invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2016, where Dave led the introduction of RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent to other volunteers attending the event.

Alongside his RNLI volunteering, Dave enjoyed a lifelong career at the Stanlow oil refinery and played rugby for Hoylake RFC. His commitment to the station has become a family legacy, with his children James, Dan and Ros all now volunteering as crew members too.

Chris Gaskin, RNLI Area Operations Manager for Flintshire, Wirral & the Isle of Man, paid tribute to Dave’s service, saying: 

“Dave’s knowledge, skill, leadership, and good humour have shaped Hoylake Lifeboat Station for decades. He’s been a mentor to generations of lifesavers and a steady hand on the helm, providing a constant source of support on and off the water. I want to thank Dave for his many years of dedication to Hoylake RNLI and to the community and wish him and Julie the very best for the future.”

Bringing his many years of experience from joining in 1988 as an all-weather lifeboat crew, going on to become a navigator and most recently a Launch Authority, Richard Martindale will be taking over as Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager. 

Speaking on his time at Hoylake RNLI, Dave said:

“It’s been a real privilege to be part of Hoylake RNLI for so many years. I want to thank my wife Julie and my family for their constant support, which has meant everything to me throughout my volunteering. I’m also incredibly grateful to all the crew, fundraisers and other volunteers – past and present – who I’ve worked alongside and who make the RNLI such a special organisation. My best wishes and thanks go to Richard in particular as he takes on the Lifeboat Operations Manager role. It’s been an honour to serve with such dedicated people and to help saves lives at sea.”

Find more information about Hoylake RNLI here

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