By Chris Cornford
A member of the Bembridge lifeboat crew has been awarded a 30-year service medal.
Bowy White, 55, a carpenter, is now second coxswain on the team and said: “I first got involved when I was working with someone who was on the crew. They were short of people at the time, so I decided to join.
“I have seen a lot of changes over the years. I’ve had four coxswains and two different all-weather lifeboats as well as five inshore lifeboats. There has been a lot of progression within the RNLI over the years.
“I really enjoy doing it; it only costs me my time and that’s not a problem. Thankfully, I have a very understanding wife, Nikki!
“I’ve been on all sorts of shouts but there’s not one that stands out; they all amalgamate into one over the years. When I was younger the adrenaline would be going when we were called out.
“But it’s been so varied; I’ve attended so many different incidents, from finding a body at the bottom of a cliff to babysitting tankers with pirates on board. There’s been a huge variety of call-outs.”
Isle of Wight Observer