After 18 years involved with saving lives along Burnham-On-Sea’s coastline, Gerry Prout is retiring.
Gerry was a founder member of BARB (Burnham Area Rescue Boat) and when the RNLI returned to Burnham in 2003, he joined them as a Deputy Launch Authority.
Gerry has this week retired from his RNLI role and on his last day joined crewmembers on a training trip up the River Parrett.
Afterwards, he was presented with a solid silver model of the RNLI emblem and a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the crew.
A professional boatman for most of his life, Gerry piloted the Bridgwater Bay pilot boat for many years and is not the only member of his family involved in life-saving, as his son Nick also serves as a helmsman, and works with his father in the family boat repair business.
Burnham Lifeboat Operations Manager Ricky Holmes told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Gerry’s knowledge and expertise is going to be greatly missed. However, we are not going to let him get away just yet, as I have asked him to help with the day to day running of the station. On a personal note I would like to thank him very much for all his support to me in my job – I have learnt a lot from him over the past 18 years.”
