Hoylake lifeboat volunteer retires after 50 years

Whether it's launching in hurricanes or saving people and their pets, the RNLI team at Hoylake is always on hand to help people who find themselves in difficulty off the coast of Wirral come rain or shine.

Among them is Dave Whiteley who, after 50 years of service, including 15 years in charge of the lifeboat as coxswain, has decided it is time to hang up his waterproofs.

He first joined the Hoylake RNLI onshore team in 1975 following on from his father, who joined in 1950, and his three children also volunteer for the charity.

"There's lots of families that have had grandfathers, fathers, sons - it's quite a common thing in the RNLI," he said.

Dave said it had been "a privilege" to serve his community.

He said it was difficult to estimate exactly how many lives he had helped to save in the past five decades but in 2015 he received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his service.

"Hoylake lifeboat has always been an important part of my life," he said.

"It has been an honour in itself to serve the RNLI."

He recalled the longest and most challenging call-out to a rescue was in 1992 when he was navigator under former Coxswain John McDermott aboard the station's previous lifeboat Lady of Hilbre.

The lifeboat had been called to help a Polish Tall Ship, the Warszawska Nike, which was caught in a gale while heading to Liverpool with nine people aboard.

The crew faced steep seas and hurricane force winds at times and the lifeboat crew were at sea for about 14 hours overnight to ensure the vessel's safe arrival in Liverpool.

Dave said being on call to head into danger - 24 hours a day, seven days a week - had become a way for life for him and his family.

He had volunteered while working full-time as a maintenance supervisor at Shell refinery in Ellesmere Port.

"There were sacrifices and when you are volunteering the family take it all on board as well," he said.

"There was often times we've been out for a family meal and you just have to leave.

"It's a big commitment but it's an enjoyable commitment."

He said he would not have been able to do it without the support of his wife and family who are also involved with the charity.

His wife Julie is a fundraiser and his children James, Dan and Ros also volunteer as lifeboat crew.

"For our family, it's just the norm," he said.

Dave's daughter, Ros, has volunteered for the charity for the past 10 years.

"It's what we do and it's what we've always done," she said.

"We're just everyday people trying to make a difference and be there for other people but we have always been really proud of my dad.

"He is a hero to us."

Dave will officially step down on his 67th birthday in January and the lifeboat station is currently looking for a new operations manager.

Dave said while he will miss "the camaraderie" of working with "good, professional crew" he is looking forward to spending more time at his caravan and with his grandchildren.

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