Bob McLaughlin has witnessed many challenging rescues in his 55 years of service with the RNLI - and shares his memories with The Whitehaven News .

The stalwart, who became an honorary life governor of the organisation last year, remembers when the boats had no shelter and hit a top speed of just eight knots – just over nine miles per hour.

Bob, 81, is the chairman of Workington Lifeboat operations committee and has previously been a shore crew member, committee member, secretary and operations manager, so has been part of numerous changes during the years.

He is backing The Whitehaven News Lifeboat Appeal to raise money for Workington’s new Shannon boat which is due to arrive next month.

“The new boats are state-of-the-art,” she said. “It’s unbelievable compared to the old boats.”

Over the years he has been involved in many services, when asked about one of his most memorable, Bob immediately answers the 1974 rescue of six fishermen and a young boy in atrocious weather conditions.

It resulted in coxswain Albert Brown picking up a bronze medal.

The crew were using a relief lifeboat for the rescue, while the station boat had a refit. That boat, called The Duke of Edinburgh, is currently in Whitehaven marina and has been transformed into a houseboat.

“It was a very good service – outstanding even,” he said.

Bob, who lives in Whitehaven, admits he misses being on the front-line. “I wish I was back,” he said. “The crew now are all dedicated and part of the team.”

He joined the organisation in 1962 and has been associated with Workington’s station since 1988. Last year he became an honorary life governor, awarded by the RNLI’s board.

Bob first got involved with the RNLI after volunteering as an auxiliary coastguard at Whitehaven, a role he held for 36 years.

His first job with RNLI was as an adviser to inspectors which he did until 1970. He then was a senior helmsman at St Bees for eight years and then joined the committee at Whitehaven.

The father-of-one was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2000 and the RNLI Certificate of Service Award in 2015.

He retired from the frontline 10 years ago before taking up his current role.

His great-grandfather Robert was also a lifeboat volunteer and worked at Whitehaven.

He added: “One of the biggest highlights has been meeting a lot of people on and around the coast.

“I’ve learned a lot. You work with a team and they’ve looked after me. I’ve had more out of it than I’ve put in and I’ve got friendships and companionship from it.”

l You can donate via the justgiving online page at campaign.justgiving.com/charity/rnli/workington shannonlifeboatappeal or via www.whitehavennews.co. uk.

You can text to donate too. Text RNLI Workington to 70300 and donate £5 to the RNLI. Your text will cost the standard network message rate in addition to your £5 donation. The RNLI receives 100 per cent of your donation