A Ventnor Coastguard will this week receive his British Empire Medal at the station he has manned for more than four decades.
Martin Rayner was named in the 2023 New Years Honours list for services to maritime safety, having spent more than 40 years volunteering for HM Coastguard. He signed up as a 25-year-old auxiliary coastguard, now known as the Coastguard Rescue Service, in April 1980.
68-year-old
The 68-year-old had been due to retire in January 2023, but decided to hold off to receive the medal. He has been non-operational since April but remains a serving Coastguard.
Today (Friday), Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Susie Sheldon, will present Martin with his medal at Ventnor Coastguard Station, as his last act as a serving Coastguard.
Woodford: He will be sorely missed
HM Coastguard Senior Coastal Operations Officer for Isle of Wight, Andrew Woodford, said he was not alone in feeling indebted to Martin, as a former volunteer with the Ventnor team.
He said,
“Martin was really instrumental in my training. I signed up in 2002 and have worked with him for 21 years, that is such a long time. He’s a huge part of the Coastguard on the Isle of Wight and he will be sorely missed.
“I think everyone currently in the team was guided by Martin when they started and he leaves a big legacy behind. He’s such a character, he’s been so good for morale, and such a well-liked and well-respected member of the team.
“He is very deserving of the medal and I think we are all really looking forward to giving him his moment.
“It makes it extra special to be able to present it to Martin in the very station he manned for over 40 years.”
Mizen: It’s people like Martin who make HM Coastguard such a special service
Pete Mizen, Chief Coastguard, said,
“It is people like Martin who make HM Coastguard such a special service, as it is hard to put into words the commitment he has shown for more than 40 years in keeping people safe at the coast.
“I would like to once more express my gratitude to him for everything he has done, both personally and on behalf of His Majesty’s Coastguard.
“Thank you Martin.”
News shared by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). in their own words. Ed
