Douglas Lifeboat Station has paid tribute to its retiring mechanic Tony Radcliffe
Tony has served int he role for over 20 years.
He will continue to serve as a coxswain with the volunteers who help to save lives around the island’s seas.
Lifeboat ops manager Peter Washington said: For over 20 years Tony has been the glue that has held Douglas Lifeboat Station together!
“He has kept the boat on service, even through some extremely difficult periods.
“His patience with crew, who haven’t a mechanical background, who inadvertently expect more from the lifeboat than it was designed for knows no bounds.
“His engagement with the public, who can (and have) turned up to the boathouse unannounced, expecting the full history of not only Douglas Lifeboat but Sir William Hillary and the RNLI, has been an example to all the crew of the professional face of the RNLI.
“His endearing smile, when someone tells him that they have broken something, as he calmly sets about repairing and replacing without any fuss is true testament to quietly spoken, calm, and unassuming professional lifeboat Mechanic.
“We are grateful that Tony will be staying on as Volunteer Coxswain. It’s not goodbye, but it is a huge thank you!”
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