After fifty-one years of volunteering, Clive Cockayne is retiring from his position of Chairman and Deputy Launch Authority of Selsey Lifeboat Station.
Clive first joined the RNLI as a crew member on the all-weather Lifeboat in 1970 and during this time he also helped his father, Des, fulfil the role as Honorary Secretary before succeeding him, and then later taking on the position of Lifeboat Operations Manager. Clive held this position until January 2020.
During his time as Honorary Secretary and Lifeboat Operations Manager he oversaw several Lifeboat transitions the most significant being the change from the wooden class Oakley to the first fast slipway Tyne class, 'City of London'. This Lifeboat was financed by the Guild of the City of London, and Clive played a key part in creating a longstanding relationship with this organisation. He was also instrumental in both the planning of and transition from the slipway launch station to a shore-based station with the new Shannon class Lifeboat.
Mark Dowie, Chief Executive of the RNLI, paid tribute to Clive; "Clive has truly demonstrated our four values – Selflessness, Dependability, Trustworthy and Courageous – in his long and illustrious career."
Selsey Lifeboat Station are extremely grateful for the leadership, commitment, dedication and support to operational lifesavers that Clive has shown over a great number of years.
(Written by Tony Delahunty, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Selsey Lifeboat Station)