Hoylake RNLI has celebrated the remarkable retirement of its Lifeboat Operations Manager, Dave Whiteley BEM, following an extraordinary half-century of voluntary service dedicated to saving lives at sea. After handing in his pager this week, Dave concluded fifty years of unwavering commitment to the lifesaving charity, marking the end of an era for the station.
A Lifetime of Service Recognised
During a training exercise on Tuesday, January 27, Dave was formally presented with the RNLI's prestigious Long Service Medal, adorned with a 50-year bar, and received his Certificate of Service from Sam Holliday, Interim Head of the RNLI Wales, West and Isle of Man Region. The occasion was further honoured by a special video message from the RNLI's Chief Operating Officer, Andy Jordan, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for Dave's decades of volunteering and the profound impact he has made on his local community.
From Teenage Volunteer to Coxswain
Dave first joined Hoylake Lifeboat Station in January 1976 on his 17th birthday, proudly following in the footsteps of his father, Tank Whiteley, who himself served at the station for an impressive 55 years. Throughout his seagoing career, Dave served aboard Hoylake RNLI's all-weather lifeboats, including the Rother class lifeboat Mary Gabriel, the Mersey class Lady of Hilbre, and the Shannon class Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood.
He held numerous operational roles, such as navigator, Assistant Mechanic, and Second Coxswain, before notably serving as Coxswain from 2001 to 2016. During his fifteen years commanding the lifeboat, Dave led the crew through countless rescues and played a pivotal role as a figurehead for the station's £2 million fundraising appeal between 2007 and 2009. This campaign was instrumental in funding the construction of the current lifeboat station and the introduction of the Shannon class lifeboat, with Dave proudly at the helm when it first arrived at Hoylake in 2014.
Honours and Leadership
Upon stepping down as Coxswain in 2016, Dave was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours, recognising his outstanding contributions to maritime safety. He then assumed the role of Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM), serving for ten years through significant developments, including the arrival of the Inshore Rescue Hovercraft Hurley Spirit in 2016 and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved to be the busiest period for rescues on record at the station.
Over the course of his dedicated volunteering, Dave has been instrumental in saving 92 lives at sea. One of the most demanding rescues of his career occurred in 1992 while serving as navigator under Coxswain John McDermott aboard the Lady of Hilbre. The lifeboat was tasked with assisting the Polish tall ship Warszawska Nike, which had been caught in a severe gale en route to Liverpool. The crew spent nearly twelve hours at sea in extremely challenging conditions, with wind gusts reaching hurricane force, and were later commended for their exceptional seamanship and professionalism following the successful rescue.
Family Support and Legacy
Dave's service has been steadfastly supported by his wife, Julie, a committed RNLI fundraiser in her own right. 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 during the £2 million fundraising appeal, organising countless memorable events. For her dedication, she was awarded the RNLI's Gold Badge.
In 2016, Dave and Julie were both invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, where Dave had the honour of introducing RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent to other volunteers attending the event. Beyond 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 cherished family legacy, with his children James, Dan, and Ros all now volunteering as crew members at Hoylake RNLI.
Tributes and Succession
Chris Gaskin, RNLI Area Operations Manager for Flintshire, Wirral and the Isle of Man, paid tribute to Dave's service, stating: "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."
Taking over as Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager will be Richard Martindale, who brings extensive experience to the role, having joined the station in 1988 as all-weather lifeboat crew, later becoming a navigator, and most recently serving as a Launch Authority.
Reflecting on his retirement, 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 save lives at sea."
