Workington RNLI stalwart Robert McLaughlin celebrates 60 years of support
Robert McLaughlin has the RNLI running through his blood - and he has just been recognised for 60 years of volunteering at the charity.
A senior helmsman at St Bees and former operations manager at Workington, he was awarded one of the highest honours from the RNLI when he was named an honorary life governor of the RNLI in 2016 - given to only a handful of people each year nationally. This followed a British Empire Medal in 1988, plus numerous other honours and titles.
Chairman of Workington RNLI, Robert - known as Bob - has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the RNLI's work in the Solway. He has been involved in many incidents and rescues in the Solway Firth. He says:
'Some you never forget, like the Solway Harvester. It was a sad day.'
The Solway Harvester sank off the coast of the Isle in Man in 2000, with the loss of seven crew. He says:
'The Workington crew were out for hours, along with other RNLI boats launched. Then there was the Siskin in 2000. It was only the three-man crew's quick thinking to abandon the vessel that saved them.'
In the early hours of December 13 2000, the fishing vessel Siskin got into difficulty. The disabled fishing vessel was located and brought back to Workington by the RNLI crew in atrocious weather conditions, heavy seas and force 11 winds.
Bob ran Workington Lifeboat Station between 1995 and 2006, when he retired - a position requiring quick-thinking and carrying a lot of responsibility. Bob says:
'It's your decision as to whether to send the lifeboat out. It's a major responsibility and you can get quite anxious when the crew is out on a call. The sea can be cruel.'
But there have been light moments during his RNLI career. The Workington station has been visited by royalty. He says:
'We were tasked with picking up the Duke of Kent from Kirkcudbrightshire. In those days, we wore oilskins and his oilskins were delivered to us, with a full police escort a few days before and had to be guarded in the station. We were on our way to pick him up - and it was a very tight schedule - when we realised we hadn't brought the oilskins. We had to do a quick dress inspection on board and put together the best we had for him. I don't think anyone noticed.'
He has worked with hundreds of crewmen and fundraisers, plus had experience on all of the different types of lifeboats introduced over the years - from the first Watson-class, retired in 1991 after 110 years in service to today's Shannons; the most technological of the crafts.
He also has a huge archive of photos, because photography is another of his hobbies, although it is unclear where he finds the time. This year, the RNLI celebrates its 200th anniversary. He says:
'I was around for the 150th anniversary and the 175th. I'm looking forward to the 200th anniversary to celebrate the RNLI.'
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.