Clovelly remembers loss of RNLI crewman

Clovelly RNLI lifeboat Senior Helm, Mark Gist and David McBride set out on the 12th November 1998 on board their fishing boat ‘The Blue Hooker’. But what began as a usual fishing trip for two friends, ended in tragedy when both of them lost their lives.

Volunteers from the lifeboat station and local residents were involved in the search at the time as the news of their loss shocked the close knit community of Clovelly in North Devon.

To mark the 20th anniversary, son of Mark Gist and current Helm at Clovelly, Sam Gist and his brother Max laid a wreath off Galantry Bower where the fishing boat was lost.

Sam explains why he joined the lifeboat and his personal connection to the village.

“I lived just two doors down from the Clovelly Lifeboat Station during my early childhood, it has always been a part of my life and it runs in my blood. My dad and two of my uncles played big roles at the station, as soon as I was old enough to join as crew I was there and I've been there ever since.

Sam talks about how it feels to follow in his dad’s footsteps in the role as helmsman at the station.

“When I am on the boat I feel a strong connection to my dad. He was also a helmsman of the Clovelly lifeboat whilst it was a privately run station in the early 90's and when it became a part of the RNLI and he remains my inspiration. This year marks 20 years since my dad passed away but his presence is always with me and there's not a single time I set foot into the station without looking up to my hero watching over us’.

“Part of what makes the crew at Clovelly so special is the pride and passion of the all volunteer crew, a crew that I am honoured to be a part of. The crew are like my family (some are my family!).”

Dan Garnett who still lives in the village, was a friend and fellow crewman and remembers: "Mark was Clovelly. A real Clovelly fisherman and lifeboatman. I am proud to served with him. He had respect in the village and at sea. His legacy lives on."

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Key facts about the RNLI

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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 180 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 140,000 lives.