Lytham Coastguards' tribute to former station officer Alistair Heyworth

Lytham Coastguards have paid tribute to one of their former station masters who has died at the age of 73 after a short illness.
Former Lytham Coastguard station master, Alistair HeyworthFormer Lytham Coastguard station master, Alistair Heyworth
Former Lytham Coastguard station master, Alistair Heyworth

Alistair Heyworth retired back in September 2011 after 30 years of sterling service to HM Coastguard.

He spent the last 12 of those years as station officer in charge of the Coastguard Rescue team located in St Annes.

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On Lytham Coastguards' Facebook page, former colleagues posted: "We come the the end of a terrible week for all at Lytham Coastguard.

Former Coastguard Alistair Heyworth (fourth from left) and crew-mates back in 2011Former Coastguard Alistair Heyworth (fourth from left) and crew-mates back in 2011
Former Coastguard Alistair Heyworth (fourth from left) and crew-mates back in 2011

"We have unfortunately lost our old station officer Alistair after a short illness.

"He was involved with numerous major incidents such as the Riverdance, cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay and various aircraft and helicopter ditching in the sea.

"After 30 years service Alistair had been involved with over 4000 incidents on the Fylde coastline.

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"We would like to send our deepest condolences to Alistairs family, and thank you for your outstanding service Alistair! Rest in peace."

When he retired on his 65th birthday back in October 2011 he stressed he would have been happy to carry on for some years still, if he were allowed.

The father-of-two started his voluntary service with the coastguard back in 1981 – the year before the opening of the current station building on the seafront close to Highbury Road.

After his retirement, he told the Lytham St Annes Express: “Initially at least, it will take some getting used to not having to get up at three in the morning on calls.”

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Throughout his years of service, Alistair, who was married to Margaret, continued to run his own pump engineering business, which he went into straight from school at the then Ansdell Secondary Modern – now Lytham St Annes High.

Born in Blackburn, he moved to the Fylde at the age of nine, initially attending the old Sydney Street School.

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