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Hartlepool RNLI lifeboat station mechanic retires

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI mechanic Garry Waugh has retired after serving 34 years with the charity that saves at lives at sea.

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI mechanic Garry Waugh who has retired after serving 34 years with the charity that saves at lives at sea.
Having spent many years working on local farms ploughing fields Garry switched to ploughing through the waves in a lifeboat as a volunteer at Crimdon lifeboat on the East Durham coast station back in 1990.

When the station closed Garry had a chat with the then coxswain Eric Reeve at Hartlepool. Garry joined the crew at Hartlepool and later became the station mechanic looking after the all weather and inshore lifeboats at the Ferry Road site.
During his time at the station Garry became one of the inshore lifeboat helms and then progressing to the post of second coxswain on the all weather lifeboat.
Over the years Garry has become the voice and face of Hartlepool RNLI with his many radio and TV interviews including his appearance on national tv talking about the Pride of Britain Award the station won back in 2012.

Garry said 'Going to work every day and knowing you could be part of the crew that saves a life is quite inspiring. There is the day to day maintenance to take care of at the station but you never knew when the pager is going to go off and at the drop of a hat you are heading out to sea to do your bit.
I've made many good friends over the years from lifeboat stations and RNLI staff around the country and hope to keep in touch.

Visits to Buckingham Palace garden parties and meeting one or two members of the royal family over the years has been amazing but there have been times when we have rescued people who are in trouble and when you talk about job satisfaction there can be nothing better.

'Sadly there are times when the outcome of a job at sea is not good but we have to move on and be prepared for the next job but there are moments that stick with you forever but the good times overshadow the sad times that do occur.
On occasions the support from fellow crewmembers really does help you through the sad times.

Its encouraging to see young crewmembers starting their journey with the charity and the support and training that the RNLI provide is amazing.'

When asked about how he is going to spend his retirement years Garry said 'Obviously it will be strange not having the pager for shouts but I'm really looking forward to spending more time with my wife Heather who has a long list of jobs around the house to sort and catching up with family and friends but I will always keep in touch with my 'second family' at the boathouse'.

Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Robbie Maiden said 'It is sad to see Garry leave as he is a great friend of mine and a pleasure to go to sea with. He has done an amazing job in his various roles at the lifeboat station over the years and I am sure he will enjoy his retirement and I have reminded him he will always be made welcome at the station.'

RNLI Media Contacts

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer press officer Tom Collins email: [email protected]

Clare Hopps (RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North East and East): [email protected] Tel:07824 518641

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

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.

About the author
Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI mechanic Garry Waugh who has retired after serving 34 years with the charity that saves at lives at sea.

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI mechanic Garry Waugh who has retired after serving 34 years with the charity that saves at lives at sea pictured in the engine room of the all weather lifeboat.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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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