Long‑serving Skegness RNLI volunteer bids farewell after decades of lifesaving
Skegness RNLI volunteers are paying tribute to long‑serving crew member Andy Epton, who has retired after more than four decades supporting the charity’s lifesaving work along the Lincolnshire coast.
After leaving the Navy Andy joined the station in 1984 as a shore helper and soon found himself training and serving afloat on the charity's lifeboats. Over the years he became known for his calm approach, reliability and sheer determination, during his time he served, amongst other positions as an inshore lifeboat helm and all-weather lifeboat emergency mechanic.
During his early years Andy served aboard the town's D class inshore lifeboat, the Oakley and later the Mersey class lifeboats, responding to incidents in difficult conditions and helping to keep people safe along the Lincolnshire coast. Among the many rescues he was involved in was the demanding Sea Fever service, for which the crew were awarded the RNLI’s Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum in recognition of their particularly meritorious lifesaving efforts.
After taking a break from the RNLI at Skegness in 2008, Andy returned to service in 2016, underlining his commitment to the charity and the station. Back ashore, he became a key part of the launch team and later served as Head Launcher and Launch Vehicle Driver with the station’s modern Shannon class all‑weather lifeboat launch system, helping ensure volunteer crews could reach those in danger as quickly and safely as possible.
Andy’s final training exercise took place on Sunday 25 Jan 2026, when he carried out his duties for the last time, launching the town’s lifeboat onto the sea; a fitting final task for someone whose life has been so closely tied to saving lives at Skegness.
Martin Freeman, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Skegness RNLI, said: ‘Andy’s commitment to the RNLI and to saving lives off Skegness is nothing short of remarkable. From his early days on the shore crew through to serving afloat and later launching our modern Shannon class lifeboat, he has given decades of loyal service to this station and the local community.
‘Everyone at the station is immensely proud of what Andy has achieved, and we would like to thank him for the enormous contribution he has made to the RNLI and to saving lives at sea.’
Skegness RNLI would like to wish Andy well in his retirement and thank him for his outstanding service as a volunteer, helping the RNLI continue its vital work of saving lives at sea.
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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