Brighton lifesavers celebrate 30 years of service and friendship.

Richard Pearce, deputy launching authority and David Saunders, boathouse manager both received the RNLI Long Service Award last week.

Roger Cohen, lifeboat operations manager of Brighton said, “Both David and Richard are part of the heartbeat of the station.

“I am proud that their long service of volunteering at Brighton to save lives at sea has been recognised by the charity.”

Richard and David have completed many call outs together for Brighton lifeboat.

One of their most notable was attending a large yacht that had lost its rudder in gale force winds and was slowly being pushed closer into shore.

Brighton lifeboat managed to hold the yacht off from shore whilst Shoreham lifeboat secured a tow and pulled it to safety.

The pair grew up together in Brighton, becoming friends during their time at St Luke’s Primary School.

To this day, they remain the closest of friends and if they aren’t at the lifeboat station they are cycling or fishing together.