RNLI lifesavers nominated for four Global Search & Rescue Excellence Awards

Les Coe has been volunteering at Walmer for half a century (now in retirement, he looks after the boathouse) © RNLI

Volunteers and staff of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have been nominated for four Global Search & Rescue Excellence Awards, including the RNLI lifeguards, who are up for Team of the Year during their 25th anniversary.

As well as the charity's lifeguards' Team of the Year nomination, sponsored by Vimpex, Mablethorpe RNLI Lifeboat Station are up for the Search and Rescue Mission of the Year Award, sponsored by Ferno, for their role in the rescue of people onboard two vessels which collided in the North Sea. Leslie Coe from Walmer RNLI Lifeboat Station has been nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Smith Myers.

Meanwhile The RNLI International Team has been nominated for the Project of the Year Award, sponsored by Elite Safety, Training and Rescue, for their Buoyancy Workshop in Zanzibar alongside the Environmental Management and Economic Development Organisation (EMEDO), Design without Borders Africa, and Bournemouth University.

The annual Global Search & Rescue Awards, recognise and celebrate the achievements of search and rescue teams, volunteers, organisations and suppliers who have really made a difference on the frontline, responding to disasters and emergencies around the world.

Peter Sparkes, Chief Executive of the RNLI said: 'It is great to see such a broad spectrum of RNLI personnel shortlisted for the 2026 Global Search & Rescue Awards, highlighting our essential lifesaving services on beaches, at lifeboat stations, and through our advocacy work with international partners.

'We couldn't do what we do without working in partnership with the global search and rescue community. Thank you to the award organisers for recognising these search and rescue individuals, teams and organisations, and celebrating those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to save lives.

'My sincere congratulations to all those from the RNLI shortlisted and I wish them, and all the other attendees, an enjoyable afternoon at the awards ceremony on Friday 15th May.'

RNLI lifeguards have been keeping beaches safer since 2001, when a trial service was set up on beaches in the south of England. Since then, their patrols have expanded to over 245 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Over the past 25 years, they have carried out over 48 million preventative actions, aided more than 440,000 people and saved over 2,000 lives.

This nomination celebrates not only their operational excellence, but also the teamwork, vigilance and public engagement that underpin everything they do.

Mablethorpe RNLI's nomination comes after the crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat into rough North Sea conditions following the collision of two vessels, the Solong and the Stena Immaculate, off the coast of East Yorkshire in March 2025.

Demonstrating exceptional decision-making and teamwork, they coordinated the safe transfer of casualties from a stricken lifeboat to supporting vessels, overcoming significant challenges. In total, 23 people were rescued and cared for by the Mablethorpe crew before being transferred to larger vessels.

Les Coe, for an incredible 71 years' dedication to saving lives at sea, has been nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

He first joined Walmer RNLI as a teenage shore crew member in 1955, going on to serve on the inshore lifeboat between 1964 and 1972. In 1970, he was awarded the RNLI's Thanks of the Institution on Vellum for his role in rescuing two people trapped in a cave by the tide.

Since stepping back from seagoing duties, Les has continued to serve in almost every operational role at the station.

The work of the RNLI's International Team has been nominated for Project of the Year, reflecting the RNLI's commitment to sharing expertise and working with partners to save lives around the world.

The Fishers Buoyancy Workshop was held in Zanzibar in September 2025, bringing together international experts and local communities to co-design innovative, low-cost buoyancy solutions for fishing communities in East Africa.

The workshop included specialists, designers, and engineers from the Panje Project, the RNLI, the Environmental Management and Economic Development Organisation (EMEDO), Design Without Borders, Bournemouth University and Crewsaver.

The achievements of those on the shortlist will be celebrated, and the winners announced live, at the awards ceremony on Friday 15 May at the prestigious One Great George Street, London.

The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Donate at rnli.org

Fishers Buoyancy Workshop in Zanzibar aided by the RNLI - photo © RNLI