Eastbourne man retires from RNLI after 46 years

An Eastbourne man has taken a step back from the RNLI, ending a family service of 100 years.
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Dick Guy of Priory Road, joined the RNLI in 1974 as a shore helper but has just retired due to rules stating volunteers must stand down at the age of 65.

Mr Guy’s father also served in the RNLI for 10 years while his sons, Timothy and Daniel, carried on the family’s tradition of volunteering when they both joined at the age of 17.

Timothy went on to serve for 22 years and Daniel for 25.

Dick Guy while working for the RNLI. SUS-211005-141611001Dick Guy while working for the RNLI. SUS-211005-141611001
Dick Guy while working for the RNLI. SUS-211005-141611001
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Mr Guy said one of his proudest moments was seeing his son, Daniel, win a medal for a rescue they were all involved with.

Mr Guy said, “In the 47 years that I have been there one of the most memorable ones was when my son got the bronze medal for rescuing a couple from a yacht that had capsized outside the harbour in 2003.

“Just being part of the whole team on that particular rescue. That sort of gelled the whole family together.”

With Mr Guy’s retirement, it will bring an end to 100 years of service from the family.

Dick Guy showing his son Daniel the RNLI equipment. SUS-211005-141812001Dick Guy showing his son Daniel the RNLI equipment. SUS-211005-141812001
Dick Guy showing his son Daniel the RNLI equipment. SUS-211005-141812001
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Mr Guy said, “It is the end of a century of dedication and volunteering

“It is the end of a third generation.”

The former shore helper also said he is happy to have seen the RNLI improve over the 47 years he was with the service.

Mr Guy said, “When I first started the lifeboats were very slow and eight knots was not a lot with electronic equipment on them.

“From ‘93 was when we had the first boat that was capable of doing anything over eight knots.”

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The Eastbourne local said this allowed for quicker recoveries in the water.

In regards to other memorable moments with the RNLI, Mr Guy also recalled the time he met the Countess and Earl of Wessex seven years ago

Mr Guy said, “They came and named a boat. I shook hands with them and had a chat and so that was quite a memorable thing.”

After 47 years with the RNLI, Mr Guy has formed a special bond with his crew.

In terms of what he is going to miss Mr Guy said, “Friendship, camaraderie with the crew that were there and the people I worked with on the shore and helped to train and things like that.”

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