RNLI Trustee and Redbay Coxswain, Paddy McLaughlin
A County Antrim man who has served his community as volunteer with the RNLI for 43 years has been named in The King’s New Year Honours List.
RNLI Trustee and Redbay Coxswain, Paddy McLaughlin, has been recognised with a MBE (Members of the Order of the British Empire), for voluntary services to maritime safety.
After being involved in numerous life-saving missions and rescue operations since he joined the RNLI charity in 1981, the Honours come as well-deserved recognition for the unassuming recipient, who himself prefers not to be in the limelight.
A Coxswain on the station’s Trent class lifeboat, he has also served as both a helm and crew on the station’s inshore lifeboats, which have included the D-class, C-class, Atlantic 21, Atlantic 75 and the present-day Atlantic 85. He became a member of the RNLI’s Ireland Council in 2012 and the RNLI’s Council in 2014. He is currently the Deputy Chair of the Irish Council and has been a member of the RNLI’s People Committee since 2019. In 2020, Paddy joined the charity’s Board of Trustees.
He became a member of the RNLI’s Irish Council in 2012 and the RNLI Council in 2014. He is currently Deputy Chair of the Irish Council and a member of the RNLI’s People Committee since 2019.
Earlier this year Paddy was also presented with the Lifesaving Foundation’s ‘Ireland Medal,’ in recognition of his outstanding work in saving lives from drowning.
The Ireland Medal is awarded annually to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to saving lives from drowning.
Commenting on his Royal recognition, Paddy, as always, was keen to deflect attention from himself and paid tribute to the organisation he has dedicated his life to, and the men and women who volunteers alongside him.
Paddy said:
“The RNLI is at the heart of communities, bringing people together with the aim of saving lives at sea and keeping people safe on the water.
“In volunteering for the charity for over 43 years in many different roles, I work alongside an incredible group of people who are passionate about lifesaving and preventing drowning in our communities.”