Shoreham RNLI hero Andy Morgan scoops British Empire Medal and RNLI Long Service Medal!
Royal Honours for Lifeboat Legend
Andy Morgan, Shoreham RNLI’s visits and education officer, has been handed two top honours. He picked up the British Empire Medal (BEM) in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours and also received the RNLI’s Long Service Medal for his outstanding dedication.
The medals were presented by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard, during a special investiture held on the station’s all-weather lifeboat. Alongside Lady Barnard was the Rev Rupert Toovey DL, who read out the citation as Andy soaked up the applause from family, friends, and fellow volunteers from the lifeboat crew, shop, and visits team.
Two Decades of Dedication to Sea Safety
Andy has been a lifeboat volunteer for over 20 years. As Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat Station’s visits officer, he leads a team of volunteer guides who welcome visitors and groups, showing them around and helping raise vital funds through the station shop.
Described as one of the RNLI’s most committed volunteers in sea safety and education, Andy has personally reached more than 34,000 children through school talks and youth groups. He has led life-skills events touching over 40,000 young people and engaged 12,000 more at community outreach days—saving thousands of lives in the process.
Boosting Shoreham Lifeboat’s Profile
Under Andy’s watch, visits to Shoreham Lifeboat Station hit record numbers. Before the pandemic, the station welcomed 15,000 visitors a year, becoming the first RNLI station to earn official Visit England accreditation in August 2019.
Lady Emma Barnard praised Andy as “an exemplary ambassador for the RNLI,” highlighting his tireless efforts to teach thousands of children life-saving skills near the water.
Community Cheers as Andy Celebrates
Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat Operations Manager Andrew Shiner said: “Andy truly deserves this recognition for his outstanding service to the RNLI, the community, and our lifeboat station. We were delighted to join Andy’s family and friends to celebrate his investiture.”
Andy himself said: “I feel really honoured to be part of the whole team here at Shoreham Lifeboat Station.”
