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Goodbye and Thank You Appledore RNLI Coxswain Martin Cox

Lifeboats News Release

Today, Friday 4 April, Appledore RNLI says goodbye and thank you to Martin Cox, their full time Coxswain for the last 20 years. A massively well earned retirement after 47 years on the crew. His first long service badge was awarded to him on 9 September 2009.

Andy Francis

Retiring RNLI Coxswain Martin Cox
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As with every new crew member Martin started his volunteering as shore crew, becoming a Coxswain in 1998. In 2005 he was appointed full time Coxswain. He is qualified for every operational job in the station – helm, launch recovery driver, head launcher, Inshore and all weather lifeboat mechanic, trainer assessor, casualty care, launch authority, friend, mentor, and so much else.

To quote Phil Hill, Appledore’s Area Operations Manager: ‘Between 1999 and today alone, he has been involved in the rescue of almost 700 people in trouble on or in the water. 700 loved ones who got another chance at life and who may have gone on to become parents or grandparents, when the outcome could have been so different. But in addition to saving lives at sea, Martin leaves the station perfectly set to move forward and continue the legacy he helped to forge. Anyone who can do that has done a perfect job’.

Martin is part of an RNLI heritage – His father, Des Cox, was the station Coxswain for 24 years from 1970-94, following on from his own father who was also on the lifeboats. His son is a Coastguard and we welcome his grandson to the lifesaving family .

Not only is Martin so treasured within the RNLI but by the whole local community, becoming one of the very first Northam Town Council Community Champions last year, an award where people are put forward by the local population. One nomination sums up Martin:

'There must be many around Northam, Westward Ho! and Appledore who have had their lives touched for the better by this man. Whether that is from an actual rescue, with residents here that quite literally owe their lives to Martin, either directly, or via the skill and knowledge he has passed onto his fellow crew members, or through water safety and community work. I can honestly think of no-one better for this accolade. He embodies a local man delivering for his local community'.

Everyone at Appledore RNLI says a massive thanks to Martin for everything he has done, and they all wish him a long, healthy and happy retirement as he hands in his pager.

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, X, TikTok 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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