Port Talbot volunteer ‘Robbie Harris’ retires after 44 years of saving lives at sea

A well-known local man, Robbie Harris, has retired after forty-four years of helping the local voluntary emergency sectors at Port Talbot.

Robbie started his volunteering in 1976 by joining the auxiliary coastguard service and rose to be the officer in charge of the local station. In 1978 Robbie enrolled with the new RNLI lifeboat station which was opened near to the pier at Aberavon beach. During his time with the lifeboat he was awarded the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum, together with two other crew members, for saving the lives of three men from a boat off Port Talbot in very stormy conditions. He became the volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at the new lifeboat station when it was opened in 1999.

In February 2019 he was awarded an MBE for services to the RNLI and various charities, which resulted in a visit to Buckingham Palace. Robbie then retired from the RNLI later that year after forty years of service. Recently he was again awarded with the RNLI service medal with bar, for his for his service to the RNLI.

Editor

Alan has a long career of working with children in education. Latterly he ran a busy photography studio and worked for local newspapers. He started one of the first hyperlocals in Wales, which has gone from strength to strength. He is a member of the NUJ and sits on the board of the Independent Community News Network.

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