AN ANGLE RNLI volunteer crew member has been honoured for his devoted service to the charity that saves lives at sea.

Derek Richards was presented with his 40-year Long Service Badge by the Chairman of the RNLI, Stuart Popham, at a ceremony at the New House Country House Hotel, Cardiff. He was accompanied by his wife Lisa and they were joined by award-winning lifeboat volunteers and fundraisers from all parts of the UK.

Two years ago, Derek’s brother, Angle’s Second Coxswain Danny Richards, was presented with a 40-year Long Service Badge at a ceremony in Swansea.

Derek joined the Angle station as a volunteer in 1978 and has served in three all-weather lifeboats.

In 1997 he was one of seven Angle lifeboat crew members who received awards for saving four lives in a Force 8 gale off Skomer Island, when a disabled passenger boat was snatched from the foot of 80ft cliffs.

On May 5 of that year The Lady Rank was launched to assist the Dale Princess, which had anchored in North Haven, Skomer Island and was in danger of being driven ashore.

The lifeboat was manoeuvred in a tiny cove, battered by the onshore gale, while Coxswain Jeremy Rees took the lifeboat near enough to connect a tow, despite the treacherous backwash from the cliff. The Dale Princess, with her crew, was then towed to Neyland Marina.

It was an outstanding rescue and Coxswain Jeremy Rees was later awarded the RNLI’s Bronze Medal for bravery. Medal Service Badges were awarded to crew member Derek and his brother Danny, Adam Stringer and crew members Roger O’Callaghan (Derek’s father-in-law), David Lawrence and Bernard Jonker.

Angle is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in the UK, with over 60 call-outs so far this year.