Third generation Mudeford RNLI lifeboat man retires after 28 years.

Last Monday Ian hung up his dry suit and yellow wellies for the final time after attending three shouts in one day. In one day, Ian was called out to assist a person in the water, a small boat suffering engine failure and a search for a potentially missing kite surfer. During Ian’s time as an active lifeboat crew member at Mudeford RNLI there has been over 1500 callouts.

Ian is the third generation of the Derham family serving as lifesavers at Mudeford. The wooden row boat that Ian’s grandfather used back in 1935 still hangs in Mudeford RNLI's lifeboat house. His rescues in that boat were one of the factors that led the RNLI to create the inshore lifeboats (ILB). Mudeford RNLI was created in 1963 as one of the first Inshore lifeboat stations.

Thank you Ian, so much for all you have done for RNLI Mudeford. A big thank you, also goes Ian’s wife, Karen, because over the years, when the pager went off Ian will have disturbed the family in the middle of the night and missed family events such as birthdays and Christmas. 28 years of callouts and training twice a week requires a lot of family support.

Richard Stride, Mudeford RNLI Operations Manager said 'Like his father and grandfather before him, Ian has made an outstanding contribution to lifesaving at Mudeford. He is the complete lifeboatman. You could not want for a more dependable, committed and likeable member of the crew. A reassuring presence and mentor to many of his team mates Ian will be greatly missed by all of us. In fact, we will need half a dozen new recruits to replace him'!

'Congratulations on your retirement! You’ve accomplished so much with RNLI Mudeford, we truly appreciate your effort and dedication. Wishing you all the best in your retirement. Now it’s time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation'!

Photos:

· Ian Derham in ILB crew drysuit

· Ian with his father aboard Mudeford RNLI’s first inshore lifeboat named after his grandfather.

· Ian (batting) at a Boxing Day cricket match against Christchurch Cricket Club

· Ian (first left) with the RNLI Mudeford crew in 2006.

Media Contacts:

Claire Hellier, Mudeford Lifeboat Press Officer (07795) 496660 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer SE and London (07939) 228052 [email protected]

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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