Isle of Wight Council Officer Honoured for 20 Years of Coastguard Service

An Isle of Wight Council officer has been formally recognised for two decades of voluntary service with HM Coastguard.

James Potter, Trading Standards and Community Safety Manager at the council — and Station Officer at Ventnor Coastguard — was awarded the prestigious Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, marking 20 years of commitment to keeping the Island’s coastline safe.

Alongside his medal, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Chief Coastguard was also presented to the Isle of Wight Council, thanking the authority for supporting James in balancing his professional role with his volunteer service.

James has spent years juggling his day job with responding to emergencies, often during evenings and weekends.

He credited his family, colleagues and managers — past and present — for making it possible:

“When I joined HM Coastguard 20 years ago, this milestone seemed a long way off.

"I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and my employer.

"The council’s flexibility has allowed me to respond to incidents when needed, and I’m proud to play a part in keeping our coastline safe.”

The council’s Service Director for Highways and Community Protection, Michelle Love, said James’s dedication was a shining example of civic responsibility:

“James’s dedication reflects the values we champion — service, integrity, and community.

"We are proud to support colleagues who give back, and this recognition highlights the strength of working together for the benefit of the Island.”

The certificate was handed to council representatives by Andrew Woodford, Senior Coastal Operations Officer, on behalf of HM Coastguard, in recognition of the council’s long-standing support for volunteer responders.