Ex-Army chief joins the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew
A retired Lieutenant Colonel with the Royal Engineers has joined the volunteer management team of the RNLI in Lyme Regis.
Mike McAlpine,61, served in many trouble spots including Kuwait, where he commanded a construction squadron involved in the restoration of essential facilities to Kuwait City immediately after the unsuccessful invasion by Iraq, and the 'clean up' of unexploded bombs and landmines.
Mike, a chartered civil engineer and graduate of Queen's University, Belfast, spent 20 years in the Royal Engineers, had two spells in the Falklands and commanded a regiment in Northern Ireland for three years before becoming the technical authority for UK counter landmine warfare.
Mike, married to Karen with three daughters, moved to Lyme Regis from Dalwood, near Axminster, in 2014. His last job was with BP in Iraq where he was involved in opening up the second largest oilfield in the world at Rumaila, south of Basra.
A keen sailor with his Yachtmaster 'ticket', Mike has become a DLA - Deputy Launching Authority - at Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station.
He said: "I spent a lot of time on the water, and it was always comforting to know the RNLI was there if necessary. Since I missed the camaraderie of the military, I thought I would offer my voluntary services to the RNLI and I am thoroughly enjoying it."
A member of Lyme Regis Golf Club, Mike chairs the Axminster Hospital Community Hub Steering Group and was a founder member of the Axminster Patient Group.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks said:" We are delighted to welcome Mike to the Lyme Regis management team. His wealth of experience will be an asset, and his arrival has added even more strength to our crew."
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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