Senior helmsman, Kevin Gee has decided to
hang up his lifejacket and retire after nearly twenty years of service.
Kevin,
or Geno as his often called, joined the station when he was 22 years old,
his career as a volunteer has spanned 19 years and seen him progress from
crew member to senior helmsman. During that time his family have become
accustomed to him disappearing when the pager sounds. Many family meals and
quiet evenings in have been disrupted as Kevin took to the seas to save
someone’s life.
During
his service Geno has received three awards recognising his bravery and
seamanship - two framed letter of thanks and a letter of thanks from the
RNLI for outstanding helmsmanship in three difficult rescues, all at the
helm of in Newquay’s D class lifeboats.
The
first framed letter of thanks was awarded in 1996 following a rescue of
three people cut off by the tide at Bedruthan steps. The casualties were
nine meters up a cliff in a cove. The rescue took eight runs into the cove
is treacherous conditions to rescue the three trapped people.
The
second framed letter was awarded in 2005 in recognition of Kevin’s
initiative, judgment and first class seamanship saving the life of a surfer
in force 7 winds and large waves.
The
letter of thanks was awarded for the rescue of two kayakers off Porth beach
in February 2006. One kayaker had selflessly rescued another kayaker who was
in difficulties. Kevin rescued both chaps in very difficult sea conditions
with a heavy surf running.
Gareth
Horner, lifeboat operations manager at Newquay says:
“Geno is
a highly experienced and respected helmsman and is very popular amongst all
the Operations Team at Newquay RNLI lifeboat station and beyond. He has
performed some notable rescues in the nineteen years in which he has served
on the crew and he is very much missed. I am sure that I speak for everyone
at the station in thanking him for his past service and wishing him a very
long and happy retirement."
Kevin
was presented his service vellum on Saturday 13th March at the
annual crew dinner dance.
