22 years of lifeboat service by George

After more than two decades of dedicated volunteering, George Chastney has stepped down as press officer for Cowes RNLI. George began his role in 2003 with Cowes Rescue, the town’s independent lifeboat, before continuing with the RNLI when it took over operations in 2008.

A former journalist, George was no stranger to maritime emergencies before his volunteer press officer role, sharing news of rescues and taking a leading role in fund-raising for the lifeboat. He had covered the 1987 Red Funnel hydrofoil collision for the Southern Evening Echo, an incident that helped prompt the creation of a lifeboat in Cowes.

George’s own life was once saved by the RNLI, after falling down a cliff in Ilfracombe at age 15. That experience, along with tricky landing during his RAF service and being involved in a balloon crash over the Island, gave him a deep appreciation for rescue work.

At a farewell ceremony last week, George was honoured alongside crew member, Jean-Marc Bonello, who is relocating to mainland Europe after five years of service. Both received commemorative mugs and cards from the crew.

Mark Southwell, lifeboat operations manager at Cowes RNLI Station, said: “Loyalty and commitment are the hallmarks of a lifeboat service. Jean-Marc and George have demonstrated that. They have both been respected members of the team making significant contributions in different ways, which is the only way a RNLI station can offer that all important 24hr service.”

George will continue supporting Cowes RNLI as station archivist, documenting the history of lifesaving in the town. He is also due to receive a certificate of service this November, recognising over ten years of commitment.

“As someone who quite probably owes his life to the RNLI,” George said, “it has been an enormous privilege to provide accounts to the media of the charity’s often challenging tasks.”