Fathoms Free Receives the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Cornwall’s volunteer-led marine conservation charity Fathoms Free has been recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Equivalent to an MBE, the award celebrates exceptional contributions made by volunteers to their local communities.

A Decade of Protecting Cornwall’s Seas

Founded in 2014, Fathoms Free removes harmful ghost gear and marine plastics, supports biodiversity recovery, works with other like-minded organisations, and inspires communities to value and protect the marine environment through direct action.

Volunteers dedicate their free time to recovering ALDFG, which stands for abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear. Often known as ghost gear, it continues to kill marine animals long after it has been lost and is a significant hazard to swimmers, scuba divers, paddle boarders and boaters. Most of the charity’s volunteers are divers, and over the past decade they have worked to clear Cornwall’s coastline, support marine science and community partnerships, and protect the marine environment for future generations.

A Standout Year with the Launch of Stingray

This year has been particularly significant for Fathoms Free with the launch of their dive boat Stingray. Refurbished in-house by volunteers, Stingray has enabled the charity to expand its conservation work and strengthen support for other local charities that share its aims.

Since its launch earlier this year, Stingray has supported Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Seasearch programme by carrying divers and snorkellers for marine surveys across Cornwall. It has also assisted the Ocean Conservation Trust with seagrass restoration work by helping with their seagrass seed harvest in Mounts Bay, ready for planting in Falmouth Bay in 2026.

Luke Bullus, Trustee and Diving Officer at Fathoms Free, said:
“This award is a huge honour for everyone involved with Fathoms Free. Our volunteers give their time, skills, and energy to protect the marine environment, and this recognition shines a light on their dedication. Stingray in particular has transformed what we can achieve, and this award belongs to everyone who has helped make that possible.”

Royal Recognition for Cornwall’s Volunteers

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to mark Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and continues following the accession of His Majesty The King. The 2025 round marks its third year in its current form.

Fathoms Free will be formally presented with the award later this year by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE. They will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in summer 2026, joining other recipients of this year’s award.

Fathoms Free’s recognition highlights ten years of volunteer-led action to protect Cornwall’s marine environment and the dedication behind it.