Newquay RNLI operations manager retires after more than 50 years of service

RNLI volunteer Gareth Horner MBE is retiring from his role as Lifeboat Operations Manager at Newquay RNLI after more than two decades in the position.

Mr Horner first joined the RNLI as a volunteer in 1974 and has spent 52 years serving at the lifeboat station in Newquay.

He has served as lifeboat crew, shore crew, launch authority and Lifeboat Operations Manager during his time with the charity.

Newquay RNLI says more than 100 lives have been saved during Gareth’s years of service at one of the charity’s busiest lifeboat stations.

He served on Newquay’s inshore lifeboats for 27 years and became Lifeboat Operations Manager in 2005, overseeing the day-to-day management of the station and acting as the first point of contact when the Coastguard requested emergency launches.

In 1997, Gareth received The Thanks of the RNLI inscribed on Vellum after three people were rescued from the tide in difficult conditions during a service involving the D class inshore lifeboat.

In 2021, he was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and appointed an MBE for his contribution to saving lives at sea.

Although retiring from the Lifeboat Operations Manager role, Gareth will continue volunteering at the station as Heritage Co-ordinator and has also been made Honorary President.

Two existing launch authorities, Ian Pengelly and Ann-Marie Dale, will now share the Lifeboat Operations Manager role.

Speaking to Radio Newquay’s Mark Chapple at the lifeboat station, Gareth reflected on more than five decades of volunteering with the RNLI.

PRESS PLAY to hear the full interview...