Fleetwood Nautical Campus Honours RNLI Long Service and Dedication

RNLI Long Service and Vellum Presentation

Recognising dedication, service and commitment to saving lives at sea

We are proud to recognise several colleagues at Fleetwood Nautical Campus who, on 30 April 2026, received RNLI long service awards and vellum certificates at a special presentation ceremony led by Captain David Eccles, who served as crew for 20 years and as Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) from 2012 to 2024.

These awards celebrate careers defined by professionalism, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea. Each presentation recognises not only the years of dedicated service given, but also the lasting impact these individuals have made on their stations, their fellow crew members and the communities they serve.

Steve Carroll - 37 Years Service

Steve Carroll, Resource Assistant at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, completed an extraordinary 37 years of RNLI service, having joined as Inshore and All‑Weather Lifeboat crew in 1988 and finishing his career in 2025 as Station Mechanic and Coxswain.

Throughout his service, Steve worked on three different classes of All‑Weather Lifeboats, gaining extensive experience across roles both afloat and ashore. Fleetwood Station played a central role in his RNLI career, where he spent 19 years as the full‑time Station Mechanic.

Fleetwood was consistently a busy station during Steve’s time, with one year alone seeing the crew respond to 110 services. He also took great pride in helping to design and equip the new station building, which opened in 2006.

Among many recognised achievements, one particularly memorable rescue saw Steve awarded the RSPCA Bronze Gallantry Award for the rescue of a large Japanese Akita, highlighting the RNLI’s commitment to saving life, human or animal, whenever needed.

Reflecting on his journey, Steve describes his RNLI career as a proud and rewarding 37 years of service.

Ian Ellarby - 32 Years Service

Ian Ellarby, Assistant Principal: Offshore, Fire and Safety at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, joined the RNLI in 1994 after completing his cadetship, alongside serving as a Second Mate in the Merchant Navy.

One of Ian’s earliest and most formative experiences was his first All‑Weather Lifeboat shout in around 1995, during a gale force 11, when the vessel was dragging anchor. Ian recalls running the radio for five hours through the night, following his first coxswain, an experience that quickly led to him becoming a regular crew member on both the All‑Weather and Inshore Lifeboats.

Over the years, Ian served as Coxswain and later Relief Coxswain, operating on the Tyne‑class lifeboats and later the Shannon‑class All‑Weather Lifeboat.

Among many memorable services, one that stayed with him was the rescue of a father and daughter whose racing Zapcat had capsized. Their boat had stalled and sunk, and they were located two miles offshore, surviving only by keeping their helmets afloat until the lifeboat reached them. Other shouts regularly involved animal rescues, including two Labradors, Storm and Shadow, rescued four miles out to sea.

Another particularly challenging rescue involved a horse stuck chest‑deep in mud at Knot End, with the tide rising. Ian remained with the horse for over 20 minutes while coordinating with RNLI crew and the Coastguard, until the tide rose high enough for the horse to be freed - an event watched by a large crowd on Euston Beach.

Ian’s RNLI journey reflects decades of calm decision‑making, leadership and dedication in some of the most challenging conditions at sea.

Pictured (left to right): second from left, Ian Ellarby; third from left, Captain David Eccles and second from right, Steve Carroll.

Neil Atkinson - 30 Years Service

Neil Atkinson, Head of Campus, received his certificate of service and 30‑year clasp for his long service medal, following an operational RNLI career that saw him involved in 416 services, or “jobs”.

During his time with the RNLI, Neil held a number of key roles at the station, including All-Weather Lifeboat Coxswain and Inshore Lifeboat Helm. Of all the roles he undertook, however, it was his work as Lifeboat Training Coordinator that brought him the greatest job satisfaction.

“Looking back, I feel privileged and humbled to have been responsible for, and actively involved with, the training of so many crew over the years - some of whom have gone on to hold senior positions as boat officers, helping to ensure the service at Fleetwood has been as successful as it has been.”

In 2006, Neil received an official letter of thanks from the RNLI Chief Executive in recognition of his seamanship and leadership during a particularly challenging Inshore Lifeboat service. The rescue involved three people from a yacht that had run aground in heavy weather. Further recognition was also given for a separate service rescuing seven people cut off by the tide at “The Neckings” off Fleetwood.
Reflecting on his RNLI career, Neil paid tribute to those around him, adding:

“I would especially like to thank my family who have supported me throughout the 30 years, crew who have become lifelong friends, and all my fellow helms and coxswains who took lifeboats out on training exercises to help train the crew.”

Pictured: Neil Atkinson, Head of Campus at Fleetwood Nautical Campus.

Gavin Burke - 20 Years Service

Gavin Burke, Operations Manager at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, joined the RNLI in early 2005, initially unaware of how profoundly the organisation would shape his life. From night‑time pager calls to long, cold searches at sea, his experience was defined by trust in his crewmates and confidence in the lifeboat.

Reflecting on his early service, Gavin describes the moment when initial fear was quickly replaced by calm, brought about by the reassurance of working with “a collective of like‑minded individuals” who knew the lifeboat and each other inside out.

Over more than twenty years of service, Gavin progressed from new recruit to All‑Weather Lifeboat Mechanic, Inshore Lifeboat Helm, Navigator and trainee Coxswain, serving on both Tyne‑class and Shannon‑class lifeboats.

His RNLI career included numerous “just in time” rescues of people cut off by the tide, extended overnight searches and complex incidents requiring calm decision‑making under pressure. In 2013, Gavin was also selected to take part in the International Maritime Rescue Federation lifeboat exchange programme in Germany, forming lasting connections with volunteers from across Europe and Canada.

Gavin describes his RNLI recognition as humbling and a reflection of the lifeboat family that supported him throughout his service.

Pictured: first left, Lizzie Dykes; back right, Gavin Burke.

Lizzie Dykes - 12 Years Service

Lizzie Dykes, Assistant Principal: Maritime Operations at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, dedicated 12 years of volunteer service to the RNLI, serving as an All‑Weather Lifeboat Navigator and Inshore Lifeboat Helm.

Lizzie describes her time with the RNLI as one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. Alongside the challenges of call‑outs at sea, what stood out most was the teamwork, quiet professionalism and strong sense of family within the lifeboat crews.

During this time, Lizzie balanced her RNLI commitment alongside being a single mother, a responsibility that added to the challenge and further reflected her dedication, care and passion for both the role and the community she served.

Several shouts have stayed with her over the years, including a memorable rescue involving a casualty cut off by the tide, holding their dog above their head until help arrived – a moment that captured both the urgency and humanity of RNLI work. Another call‑out later received Saving Lives at Sea recognition, reflecting the collective effort of the crew involved.

Lizzie remains immensely proud of her RNLI service, the friendships formed and the difference made within the community.

Pictured: Lizzie Dykes. 

A Shared Legacy of Service

RNLI long service awards and vellum presentations recognise not just time served, but a lasting commitment to teamwork, professionalism and protecting life at sea.

We are grateful to each individual recognised for their outstanding service and the lasting impact they have made on the RNLI and the communities they served.