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Margate RNLI says thank you to its Lifeboat Chaplain Revd. Brian Sharp

Lifeboats News Release

Margate’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew today marked the retirement of their Lifeboat Chaplain, Revd. Brian Sharp.

Margate RNLI lifeboat crew including Revd Brian Sharp (RNLI Margate)

RNLI Margate

Margate RNLI lifeboat crew including Revd Brian Sharp (RNLI Margate)

Following today’s training exercise, the crew took a moment to mark the retirement of their Lifeboat Chaplain, Revd. Brian Sharp. Brian’s connection with Margate Lifeboat Station dates back to 1996 when he conducted the funeral service for one of the station’s former coxswains Alf Manning.

He continued his support including officiating at lifeboat naming ceremonies before taking on the role of Lifeboat Chaplain in 2011, a position that included being issued with a pager whereby he could be present to provide support for the crew including during call-outs. Whether in the middle of a winter’s night or a sunny summer’s day Brian was on hand, including wearing regulatory PPE on the beach actually ‘at the coal face’. Occasionally, call-outs do not have a happy ending and Brian would provide the appropriate words on behalf of those the sea had decided to keep and offer support for the crew.

On a lighter note, his pastoral duties included where he could be guaranteed to ensure the crewroom biscuit tin was well-stocked for the Sunday morning training exercises. Brian has expressed his wish to maintain contact with the station including at naming ceremonies.

After eleven years in the post Brian retired in 2022 and today Lifeboat Operations Manager, Derek Amas presented Brian with a Certificate of Service, signed by RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie.

Derek Amas, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “Brian provided an invaluable service supporting the work of the station. His commitment along with a down to earth and pragmatic approach to what can on occasion be stressful situations played an important part in ensuring we deliver the service our customers and supporters expect. We thank Brian for that commitment and look forward to his continuing association with the station.”

Notes to editors

· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 or [email protected]

· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Derek Amas, Lifeboat Operations Manager (left) Revd Brian Sharp (right) (RNLI Margate)

RNLI Margate

Derek Amas, Lifeboat Operations Manager (left) Revd Brian Sharp (right) (RNLI Margate)

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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