Thirty years voluntary service medal for the RNLI 2nd Coxswain Robert Frost
Robert Frost joined Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI as a young lad of eighteen, when the lifeboat station had the Atlantic 21 lifeboat.
As a new starter he started his training learning the launch and recovery of the lifeboat. Having shown his commitment to the station and the RNLI, he then started his training to become part of the lifeboat crew.
When the Atlantic 21 lifeboat was going to be replaced, crewman Robert Frost then went down to the RNLI College in Poole for training on the Mersey all-weather lifeboat which was coming to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Soon afterwards Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station then took charge of a D Class inshore lifeboat, here Robert went under further training and became Helmsman in 2002, working his way up to Senior Helmsman in 2006, plus then in 2007 become the inshore lifeboat maintenance mechanic.
His dedication to saving lives at sea, through training and progression, enabled him to pass out in 2009 as Deputy 2nd Coxswain. As a valued volunteer member of Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station, he was promoted again, through a vote by the crew to serve alongside Coxswain Alistair Laing as 2nd Coxswain in 2016.
Robert as a senior in the lifeboat station is also proud to be able to pass on his skills on to new recruits as a training coordinator.
In 2015, Berwick RNLI was proud to perform for newlyweds Robert and his bride Louise a Guard of Honour, when they were married at St. Johns Church Spittal on Saturday 1 August.
For every crew member who serves in the RNLI, there is a family that also serves alongside them. The crew is on call 365 days of the year 24/7. When the pagers go off, there is a family who sits and waits for the safe return of the loved one, as they volunteer to save lives at sea.
Lifeboat Operational Manager Brian Cowan said: ‘Robert has given 30 years voluntary service so far, we at Berwick lifeboat are proud and grateful for his dedication and service.’
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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 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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