There is a small band of ‘those that go down to the sea in ships’ who other sailors most respect and have reason to give much thanks. Our Lifeboatmen. They bring into sharp focus everything that is the ethos of the sea; a can-do courage, professionalism, and an innate desire to go to those in distress.
Mountainous
seas seem far removed from the grouse moors or shooting range, and so you may
be surprised to learn that at least two Gunmakers are Lifeboatmen, Renter Warden
Graham Hill and Past Master Chris Price. Mr Price has just completed writing his
first ‘Lifeboat Book’, about his experiences over 28 years at Coverack and
Falmouth.
In his
foreword he mentions the many hundreds of ‘shouts’ and the emotional and
physical challenges described from the perspective of a crew member. Despite
seasickness, he has got on with it and like all Lifeboatmen he has seen the
power of nature at sea, tragedy and death and how it bonds a crew. There are
lighter moments too.
