1 September - this event is now cancelled, however we hope to re-book this for November. Details will be updated onto the calendar and event listing when confirmed.
Mark is the RNLI’s most decorated coxswain and has been on many dramatic and successful rescues. If you’ve seen 'Saving Lives at Sea' you’ll have an idea of what’s involved but there’s nothing as dramatic as hearing about it from the man at the very centre of sea rescue.
All proceeds of the evening go to the RNLI.
A meal is available after the talk. This must be booked directly with Royal Torbay Yacht Club - see below.
Date: Thursday 9 September, 2021
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Place: Royal Torbay YC, 12 Beacon Hill, Torquay, TQ1 2BH
Booking (talk): Book online here
Booking (meal, directly with Royal Torbay Yacht Club): Book your meal here
Mark Criddle OBE, RNLI coxswain, Brixham
Mark has witnessed some dramatic events, like the night he led the rescue of eight crew from a sinking cargo ship caught in a severe storm off Berry Head. He received the RNLI’s Silver Medal for that rescue but, says Mark, the real reward is in the casualty’s eyes "When you pull someone out of the water who didn’t mean to be in there, when they know they are going to be OK, the expression in their eyes is something that you can’t put into words."
Mark is Brixham born and bred and has been with the RNLI for almost 30 years. He was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018 receiving an OBE for his contribution to Maritime Safety.
Mark is keen to emphasise that it’s a team effort on the lifeboat and the credit has to be shared with all the volunteer crew who take part.
During his talk Mark will also cover seamanship and boat handling in heavy weather. Would you know what to do if caught out in a gale on a lee shore? When do you deploy a sea anchor and when might it be dangerous to do so? Do flares have a place in today’s high-tech rescue armoury? Do lifeboat crew ever get scared on a rescue?