Martin signals the end of an era at Lytham St Annes RNLI

Long-serving coxswain/mechanic Martin Jaggs is stepping down in January from his full-time duties there after 25 years.

But he is to continue as a volunteer, and as he gets set for his 55th birthday, reckons he is good for another five years serving the charity which saves lives at sea and is a key feature of the Fylde coast scene.

“I just love being involved,” said Martin, who first joined the volunteer crew in 1988 and became full time, putting his skills as a mechanic to good use, in 1995.

“The Fylde community has always provided great support for the RNLI and it is an honour to have been part of the crew for so long.

“The time is right to give up the full-time duties, but I’ll still be around to volunteer when needed and it’s the other volunteers and their dedication to the service who inspire me.

“We have a wonderful crew here and it’s great that so many are still keen to join. With the Covid restrictions this year, we have had to limit the numbers at training sessions and the like, so effectively, there is a waiting list.”

Among the most lasting memories of his time with the RNLI is the Riverdance ferry disaster of 2008, when crews from across the coast were called out to the capsized cargo ship.

Martin and the Lytham crew received a commendation from the then Fylde mayor John Prestwich for their work on that ‘shout’ and Martin said: “It was certainly a long night I will never forget.

“I won’t say I was scared, and you can’t fear in situations such as that but I was certainly concerned that night.”

Fond memories include the arrival of the state-of-the-art all-weather lifeboat Shannon craft Barbara Anne three years ago, which he describes as “an amazing machine”, while an outstanding highlight was being awarded the MBE for his services to the RNLI in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2016.

He said: “It was quite a shock to receive the call telling me I’d be getting an MBE – but a brilliant one.

“It wasn’t just for me, it was for my family too who have put up with me and supported me being part of the lifeboat for the best part of 30 years and the ups and downs that come with it.

“I’m really proud of everything I have done and achieved, and it has good to know that I can still help make a difference to crew, other volunteers and the wonderful Fylde coast community.”

Martin, a father of one who grew up in Lytham and developed his love of boats at Ribble Cruising Club as a youngster, has certainly made a lasting impression on colleagues and the community over the years.

An RNLI spokesman said of him: “What makes him stand out as a special person is his ability to make life-long relationships almost instantly.”