During his time on the crew, Sam has held many roles at the Salcombe Lifeboat Station; progressing from both ALB and ILB crew to become a Helm of the Stations Atlantic 75 Inshore Lifeboat the “Joan Bate”; he took command of the ILB for one of the most difficult and dangerous rescues in 2013, where the life of a “Bodyboarder” was saved in
seriously testing conditions in Soar Mill Cove, for which he was awarded a signed letter of thanks from the Chairman of the Institution, the then Admiral the Lord Boyce KG, GCB, OBE, DL.
Sam progressed to become an Assistant Mechanic on the Tamar Class All Weather Lifeboat “The Baltic Exchange III” before passing out as a Deputy Second Coxswain. In September 2016 he became the Full time Station Mechanic, a role he held for several years before stepping aside to take employment with the Salcombe Harbour Authority, but remaining as a Maintenance Mechanic for the ALB.
Sam was a ‘sounding board’ for anyone who wanted to progress within the RNLI here in Salcombe. Since the announcement of his standing down the station has been inundated with messages of thanks and best wishes from those within and outside of the RNLI. His technical knowledge, fault finding abilities and defect rectification skills will be sorely missed.
Whilst out of his depth in a quay side puddle, his sense of humour and restricted stature have been the centre of many Station discussions over the years. A fact that will be celebrated at an upcoming farewell BBQ when we will be serving mini burgers.
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
