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THE newly-appointed coxswain-mechanic of the Penlee
lifeboat station has taken up his post, determined to live up to the
high standards set by his predecessors.
Patrick
'Patch' Harvey says he is fully aware of the 'high expectations' that
go with being the Penlee coxswain but is confident he and his crew can
deliver.
"I think we have one of the strongest crews anywhere in the RNLI and that makes it a lot easier for me," he told The Cornishman.
"People
like Dave Pascoe (deputy coxswain), Ben Keogh (second deputy coxswain),
Kenny Downing and Paul Oliver all have more than 20 years' experience
as fishermen and we have some good mechanics in Jed Payne, Craig Neal
and Dave Osborne."
Patch says he will also able to draw on his predecessor's wealth of experience as coxswain.
"Neil (Brockman) asked me to become a
crew member back in 1993 and he backed me up 100 per cent when I
applied to take over from him. His boat handling and seamanship skills
are second to none and he is always welcome to come and visit us; he
has also kindly offered to give me advice if and when I need it."
A
fisherman from the time he left school, 'Patch', 39, said he was
'chuffed to bits' when approached by Neil Brockman to join the Penlee
crew.
He soon progressed to helmsman before becoming deputy coxswain in 2001 and the station's full-time mechanic three years later.
Born
and bred in Newlyn, the RNLI seems to be in his blood – his grandfather
was mechanic at New Brighton during the Second World War aboard the William & Kate, at that time the RNLI's largest lifeboat.
Married
to Nina and with three children, 'Patch' is also well known to rugby
followers for his sterling efforts in the Pirates' front row over the
course of many seasons.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN
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