Peter Mitchell former RNLI mechanic and coxswain passes away

Peter Mitchell was a former RNLI mechanic and coxswain who had a long and distinguished career with the RNLI, beginning as a travelling mechanic. He was awarded the bronze medal of the institution in recognition of his courage and high standard of seamanship when The Lizard lifeboat rescued the crew of three and saved the yacht "Bass" which had lost her rudder in 1984. 

According to The Lizard Lifeboat Station, Peter and his crew also launched on the night of December 19, 1981 when the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat and those on board the stricken coaster "Union Star" were lost. 

The Duke of Cornwall lifeboat and crew (Image: Paul Yockney)

In a tribute published on its social media page, The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat Station said: "It is with great sadness that all at The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat Station and indeed The Lizard village are mourning the loss of our friend and former Coxswain/Mechanic Peter "Pan" Mitchell who has sadly passed away.

Peter Mitchell (Image: Paul Yockney)

"Peter had a very long, loyal and distinguished career with the RNLI which began with him taking up the role of a traveling RNLI mechanic. With the lifeboat station still located at Polpeor - The Lizard Point, Peter returned to the village and took on the position of Mechanic succeeding Maurice Stephens during the late 1950s.

RNLI volunteers (Image: Paul Yockney)

"Peter saw the lifeboat relocate to her new station and current home at Kilcobben Cove in 1961 and became Coxswain/Mechanic following the retirement of Maurice "Bunny" Legge in 1976. A position he held until his own retirement on the June 5, 1988, when he handed over the Coxswain reigns to Philip Burgess.

"Amongst his many heroic services, Peter was awarded the Bronze medal of the institution in recognition of the courage and high standard of seamanship displayed by him when The Lizard lifeboat rescued the crew of three and saved the yacht "Bass" which had lost her rudder in a south-westerly near gale and a rough sea on September 3, 1984. Peter and his crew also launched on the night of December 19, 1981 when the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat and those on board the stricken coaster "Union Star" were all so tragically lost.

"Our thoughts are with Peter's family and friends at this very sad time and our station flag flies at half mast in his memory."