When the newest recruit at the lifeboat station in Lyme Regis visits a customer his introduction goes something like this: ‘If my pager goes off I may have to leave and return later to finish working on your carpet.’
Rob Emery, 38, is a self employed carpet and upholstery cleaner and has just joined the volunteer crew of the town’s RNLI lifeboat. He said: ‘My customers are very understanding. One of them actually said I should not apologise if I have to leave the job unfinished because saving a life is more important than her carpet.’
Rob has joined the crew initially as shore crew but has his sights set firmly on going to sea as soon as possible. Rob says: ‘I have been taken to sea as an introduction to the lifeboat just once so far and that has fired my enthusiasm to become sea-going crew. I can’t wait to get on with my training which I know can take several months.’
Rob is married to Alana and they have three children. Importantly, they now live just five minutes from the lifeboat station. A keen sea angler, kayaker and paddle boarder, Rob has now booked time off from work to volunteer helping to raise funds for the lifesaving charity during the annual Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week which starts on 26 July.
Photo:
Rob Emery at at work as a carpet and upholstery cleaner
Credit:
RNLI/Richard Horobin