Brighton RNLI Legend Retires After 46 Years of Lifesaving
Malcolm Harvey, Brighton RNLI’s longest-serving volunteer, is hanging up his gear after four and a half decades of heroic service. Joining the very first crew at Brighton Marina lifeboat station shortly after it opened in 1978, Malcolm has been a local lifeboat icon ever since.
From Horseboxes to Lifeboats: The Early Days
Before Brighton’s station was ready, Malcolm trained for two years with Newhaven RNLI, ensuring he was battle-ready for Brighton’s maiden crew. “Things were pretty different then,” he recalls. “While the station was being built, we stored our gear in a horsebox, then a two-wheel caravan donated to us. We never got the smell of horses out of our kits!”
With only five lifeboat suits shared among the crew – ranging from 5ft 7 to over 6ft tall – the sight of the volunteers was often a funny one, Malcolm says.
A Life Saving Record and Memorable Rescues
During his time on the crew, Malcolm helped save 78 lives, earning recognition from the RNLI. One unforgettable rescue saw him saving a family of four and their spaniel stranded by the tide in Saltdean. The kids refused to leave without their dog, while the parents insisted on the children’s safety first. Malcolm had to scramble onto rocks to grab the pet – which promptly leapt back into the water!
“There aren’t many people out there who can say someone is alive because of a direct result of your actions,” Malcolm said. “We have our emergency services but life boating ranks pretty high on the list of lifesavers. I’ll always be proud of my time with the RNLI – especially the friendships and camaraderie.”
From Crew Member to Chairman – A Lifetime Dedicated to RNLI
When Malcolm turned 50 in 1990, he had to step down as helm but stayed on as Deputy Launch Authority, authorising lifeboat launches for 20 more years. On reaching 70 in 2010, he became the station’s Chairman, a post he held until this year’s retirement.
This year, Malcolm was honoured with a long service award at Hampton Court Palace for his decades of volunteering.
Roger Cohen MBE, Brighton’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, praised Malcolm’s dedication: “We are all so grateful for Malcolm’s years of service. We’ve learnt so much from his experience, tenacity and resilience. He embodies everything the RNLI stands for – selflessness and courage. He should feel incredibly proud.”
Malcolm Harvey’s remarkable 46 years of saving lives and leading Brighton RNLI make him a true hero of the coast.
