WEDNESDAY 4th MARCH - TALK BY STEPHEN WHEATLEY ABOUT THE THAMES RNLI LIFEBOAT STATION

Stephen joined the RNLI's Tower Lifeboat Station in October 2005 having passed a medical and completed an observer shifts designed to assess his suitability to join the crew.

Since joining Stephen has done more than 480 12 hour shifts and taken part in over 400 shouts, of which at least eight were designated by RNLI and his Majesty's Coast Guard as lives saved.

He would normally have retired on his 65th birthday in 2020 but was given a service extension and retired from operational duty at the age of 70 in October 2025, the 20th anniversary of his first shift.

He has been awarded a Queens's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal, King's Coronation Medal and RNLI's 20 year long service medal. In addition to his shifts on the boat Stephen has been a committed fund raiser for RNLI and has organised or taken part in a number of fund raising events, including the London Marathon in full Protective Equipment which have raised more than £70k.

In 2024 he was honoured to become the RNLI's standard bearer and has had the privilege of representing the RNLI at a number of events including the Merchant Navy Rememberance Service and the British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Stephen is still a volunteer at Tower Lifeboat station focussed on RNLI representation, fundraising, and station visits.