Commander Mike Woodroffe, 1942-2022

Tue 15 Feb 2022

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lt.-Commander Mike Woodroffe, who died on 8 February 2022 in his 80th year. Mike served in the Merchant Navy from 1958, before joining the Royal Navy. In 1972, he took up a career with the RNLI, where he served as Divisonal Inspector for the South East region from 1975 to 1982 and later as Deputy Chief of Operations before his retirement in 2002. Mike is particularly known for his pioneering work on the design and safe operation of the smaller lifeboats, the D Class inshore lifeboats and Atlantic class. 

Mike retired to Wells where he had previously been involved in his operations capacity with the station and he soon became active in the harbour and community, serving as a Wells Harbour Commissioner from 2004-2012. His involvement with the RNLI continued long after his retirement. Mike was very active in maintaining the important conduit with 'the coast' and looking after the welfare of the retired members of the lifeboat crew and their families who needed support. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him.

His funeral will be held at St Nicholas Church, Wells-Next-the-Sea on Thursday 24 February at 1pm, followed by Cromer Crematorium at 3pm. All are welcome.

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