RNLI welcomes fourth generation of same family

An RNLI lifeboat station has welcomed a fourth generation of the same family to work for the charity.

Ellie Guy, 18, will follow in the footsteps of her great grandfather, grandfather and father by working at the Eastbourne station. Her uncle has also been at the RNLI for 20 years.

The longest-serving family member, grandfather Dick, said he had seen prominent development of the RNLI's crew kit and lifeboat technology.

"I remember the maroons that would fire twice to alert the crew and locals. Then we used telephone calls and the station would ring you up to say you're needed."

Inspired by his father, Ellie's father Dan joined the RNLI in 1996, aged 17.

Having given 30 years of voluntary service, Dan also works full-time for the RNLI, occupying the position of Fleet Staff Coxswain.

Dan said: "Eastbourne RNLI is a family outside of normal family life. When I came up to the age of 17, it was just natural that I joined."

He responded to one particularly memorable call in 2002, where a 33ft yacht found itself pushed onto the shallows in gale force winds and breaking seas.

During the rescue, the RNLI crew had to improvise when a violent wave tipped the yacht onto her side, washing crew overboard.

While trying to save the skipper, Dan stepped beyond the lifeboat's railings and was partially submerged himself but managed to keep hold of the casualty. He was awarded the Bronze Medal for Gallantry for saving the man's life.

Ellie said: "Being involved at the lifeboat station from a very young age, it just becomes part of you.

"Seeing my dad come home and how happy and proud he was to be part of the crew – I wanted to be part of that as well."

The four generations have collectively given 112 years of service – equating to more than half of the existence of the RNLI – with two of the family still active volunteers.

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