Byline: Eastbourne Mayor, Councillor Mike Thompson presented senior crewman Paul Rogers with a specially struck badge and letter of appreciation from Paul Bossier, chief executive of the RNLI, to acknowledge 20 years loyal service with Eastbourne lifeboats.

Page Content: Paul volunteered to join the crew of Eastbourne inshore lifeboat at Fisherman’s Green when he was just 17 as a shore helper. Since then he has received extensive training and taken part in countless rescues at sea and is now Deputy Second Coxswain and mechanic aboard the all-weather lifeboat and helmsman aboard the inshore lifeboat. His experience and training has enabled him to become an Offshore Yachtmaster and Power Boat instructor, he has also received specialist training in swift water rescue techniques and is a member of the RNLI flood rescue team. Not content with his seafaring qualifications, and being a keen distance runner, he is currently studying on the UK Athletic Coaching course.

Paul is fortunate that his wife Dawn is fully aware of the dedication and commitment required of a volunteer crewman aboard a busy lifeboat in that she too was once a member of crew aboard Eastbourne’s inshore lifeboat. Their early courtship was in fact set in the romantic setting of a damp lifeboat station dressed in dry suits. Despite that they now have two delightful children Sydney 13, and Charlie 10.

With all his voluntary commitments it’s hard to believe Paul still has time to run his own successful plumbing business, PR Plumbing. If he’s not saving lives at sea or running along the South Downs he can probably be found replacing a faulty boiler or mending a leaky tap somewhere!

Picture shows Paul with his family and fellow lifeboat crew receiving his award from Councillor Mike Thompson.