David Wells, has been helmsman of Clacton-on-Sea's Atlantic 21 lifeboat and a crew member of the station's D class lifeboat since 1983. From 1972 he was a crew member of the station's allweather lifeboat which was replaced in 1984 by an Atlantic 21.

David was awarded a Bronze medal in 1991 in recognition of his high standard of seamanship, boathandling skills and determination when the Atlantic 21 lifeboat Institute of London Underwriters gave assistance to the yacht Two Niner on 1 November 1991.

The yacht, with six persons on board, had gone aground on the south east side of the Buxey Sand in a south-southwesterly gale and very rough seas.

David was later also awarded the Ralph Glister Award and the Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award for this service..