New Lifeboat Mechanic appointed

The Lytham St Annes RNLI Lifeboat Station announced the appointment of a new full time Station Mechanic and Coxswain to take over the role vacant after the recent retirement of Martin Jaggs MBE.

Filling the position is Tony Cox CEng MIMechE, a former Merchant Navy Engineering Officer and at present a crew member on the all-weather lifeboat Barbara Anne and a SLRS driver (Shannon Launch & Recovery System) for the station. He will take over on the 22 March 2021 to become only the sixth person in 90 years to hold that position since the arrival of the first motor lifeboat in 1931.

Tony, or Coxy as he is known by the crew, has a great deal of experience in marine engineering as well as engineering in general. He will also shortly become a Coxswain allowing him to command the lifeboat once completing the finishing touches to his appropriate training for that role.

Tony joined the Merchant Navy from school, served his engineering apprenticeship and qualified to the rank of Second Engineering Officer during his time at sea, serving in the Falkland’s War. He also spent time in the Gulf during the original Iran/Iraq war. After leaving the sea, he set up his own HGV transport business before joining a company as a Test Technician. To further his career, Tony enrolled at UCLAN on day release, achieving his degree in Mechanical Engineering which enabled him to work towards and achieve the status of Chartered Engineer. He has recently been working as the Manager of an Automotive Research & Development facility at Warton, Preston.

Tony is already involved as a volunteer with the Lytham St Annes lifeboats both as lifeboat crew and shore crew. Although his sea going roles will now take priority, he has already qualified to drive the SLRS combined tractor and carriage rig and is one of the head launchers who oversee the launch and recovery of the all-weather lifeboat Barbara Anne as well.

Away from the lifeboat he is a keen motorcyclist and off-road cyclist. Tony lives in St Annes with his partner Nemesia and loves going for walks on the beach with their two dogs, Charlie & Poppy.

Tony said, 'Although I have only been directly involved with the lifeboats for a relatively short period of time - 3 years, I have been an enthusiast and supporter since childhood and have always wanted to be part of the crew and help save lives at sea.'

The Station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM), Pete Whalley, in announcing the appointment said, 'Having been part of the interview process I can confirm that we had a strong field of candidates and I'd like to personally congratulate Tony on being the one chosen to take over the mantle from Martin.

'Martin will be a hard act to follow but I'm sure Tony will do his utmost to follow on the tradition. Well done Tony!'

The RNLI’s Area Lifesaving Manager (ALM) for the Northwest of England, Saul Mendelssohn added,

'I am delighted to inform you that Tony Cox has accepted the role of Full-time Mechanic / Coxswain at Lytham St. Annes Lifeboat Station.

As you know, Tony brings a wealth of experience from his engineering career and is already a committed member of our volunteer team.'

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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