Withernsea Crew
Martin Woodhouse, Lifeboat Operations Manager
Lifeboat Operations Manager Martin Woodhouse is a firefighter. His dad was launch authority before him and his son, Matthew, served on the crew before leaving the area to further his education.
The lifeboat crew
After a recent all time drop in crew numbers, BBC Look North focused on our station and highlighted the low crew numbers. Following on from the programme we received eight volunteers, five of whom are now fully trained crew members. Crew meet on a Wednesday evening and Sunday mornings to either brush up on skills or put the lifeboat to sea for an exercise.
Andrew Shakesby, Senior Helmsman
Andrew Shakesby is also the station Lifeboat Training Coordinator. Joined the crew at 18 in 1985. Andrew works as an Emergency Care Practitioner and is also a registered Paramedic. Andrew was part of the crew who were first on scene at the Kegworth Air disaster in 1989.
John Hartland, ILB Mechanic
John Hartland is the holder of the last RNLI bronze medal awarded to the station, awarded in 1991 after the lifeboat landed the sick skipper from the yacht Frangipani and transferred a crew member to the yacht, which was in difficulties two and a half miles east-north-east of the lifeboat station in a near gale and rough seas
