Port Talbot RNLI crew member wins volunteer of the year award

The awards were held to recognise and reward individuals and groups that make a huge impact to the communities of Neath Port Talbot. There were 12 awards this year including Sports Star of the Year, Supporting Education, Child of Courage award and Volunteer of the Year - and each category was supported by differing local businesses. The guests of the evening were entertained by the fantastic Valley Rocks Voices choir.

RNLI volunteer crew member at Port Talbot Lifeboat Station David (Dai) Jones, was nominated for Volunteer of the Year and attended the evening with his family.

Dai joined the station at the age of 19, over 20 years ago. Dai joined as a volunteer crew member as he had a passion for the sea, he was at the time part of the local surf lifesaving club and thought that he could do more to help save lives at sea.

One of Dai’s most memorable moments was back in January 2006. The pager sounded and on arrival at the station he learned that a small angling vessel has developed engine failure and that one of the two crew had been washed overboard.

Conditions that day were very challenging with a surf over 6ft. As Helm Dai and the rest of his crew made best speed to the area and recovered the casualty who had entered the water, the second casualty who was still on board refused to leave and Dai was concerned for his safety as the vessel was taking on water and was likely to capsize.

The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter appeared as the situation was escalating and not more than a few seconds after the winchman recovered the casualty and rose above the boat, a rouge wave appeared and the vessel capsized. Dai knew that this was the reason why he joined the crew to help save lives at sea. Such courageous actions won Dai the award of Volunteer of the Year, which was sponsored by Tata Steel UK.

Dai said: ‘I was humbled and shocked at the nomination and more so that I won, as there was such inspiring people within the category. Without the support of my wife and family I would not be able to do what I do today’.

Everyone at Port Talbot Lifeboat Station would like to congratulate Dai on winning this award and to all the other winners and category nominees.

Media contacts

For more information please contact Kirstee David, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith Regional Communications Manager on 07977728315 or [email protected] Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].