CLACTON lifeboat station has thanked two long-serving crew members who are retiring after serving a combined total of 15 years and helping to save 18 lives.

Helmsman Darren Simper was presented with a certificate of thanks from the RNLI by Dave Wells, Clacton’s Lifeboat operations manager, for his 11 years of service.

Tony McEwen, who has been a member of the shore crew for four years, was also thanked for his four years of service.

Crew spokesman Richard Wigley said the pair were praised at Clacton RNLI’s final meeting of the year.

He said: “Darren has held numerous roles within the station, starting as a member of the shore crew, then as tractor mechanic, as well as becoming a member of the lifeboat crew.

“He went on to reach the role of helmsman by the time of leaving, and participated in saving 18 lives.

“As a member of the shore crew, Tony would help to safely launch and recover the lifeboats, as well as prepare them for their next service.

“Tony has proved to himself and the team, despite the loss of a leg in a motorbike accident, he could be an active member of the team.

“Tony hopes this will show others in the community in a similar situation, that disability is no barrier to saving lives at sea.

“All the team at the lifeboat station wishes them well in their new endeavours.”

Mr Simper was involved in a number of high profile rescues, including helping to save the life of a man from the river Colne in 2015, as well as helping to save a teenage swimmer who was suffering from hypothermia from the sea off St Osyth.

He also helped to rescue a crew of four after their boat capsized off Clacton in 2016 and also went to the aid of two men from Jaywick who went to sea in their £9 homemade boat.

Mr Simper said: “I just wanted to give something back to the community and I was working in the town centre so was always on hand. Unfortunately I’m now working in Colchester and can’t carry on, but I wish the crew the very best for the future.”