TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a Minehead lifeboat volunteer who gave more than half a century’s service to the lifesaving charity.

Former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew member and lifelong volunteer Kevin Escott died on Saturday (September 12), aged 87.

Mr Escott’s connection with the RNLI began in 1947 when he helped his aunt collect in Watchet for the charity.

He followed in the footsteps of his father Charlie Escott, a winchman with Minehead Lifeboat Station, continuing a proud family tradition of service to the RNLI, which his son Andrew now continues.

Just a year later, Mr Escott took his first trip aboard the Kate Greatorex, Minehead’s first motor lifeboat, sparking what would become a lifetime of dedication to saving lives at sea.

In the following decades, Mr Escott served the RNLI in almost every capacity imaginable from earning his launcher’s badge in 1952 and becoming a regular launcher, to serving as crew on exercises and shouts, with commitment which never wavered.

The late Kevin Escott, who gave more than 50 years' service to Minehead Lifeboat Station.
The late Kevin Escott, who gave more than 50 years' service to Minehead Lifeboat Station. (Family)

His first shout as a crewman came in 1958 following a Sea Venom aircraft crash off Lilstock Beach, when the lifeboat rescued the two aircrew from the sea.

After returning from service with the RAF, Mr Escott became head launcher before joining the crew of the all-weather BHMH lifeboat in 1968.

In 1970, with the arrival of a new D Class lifeboat, he accepted the role of senior helm, helping to organise, train, and mentor a new generation of crew members.

Mr Escott witnessed and contributed to many significant moments in Minehead Lifeboat Station’s history, including a memorable shout in 1970 when the crew was mobilised to help a replica 17th century ketch ‘Nonsuch’ which was caught in a severe Bristol Channel storm, the arrival of the first Atlantic 21 in 1979, and a Buckingham Palace visit in 1978.

When the RNLI introduced long service awards in 1982, Mr Escott had already completed more than 30 years and immediately qualified.

Following his operational retirement, he continued to serve as a deputy launching authority, guild member, secretary, and, later, as lifeboat operations manager, a position he held until his retirement in 2007.

A Minehead RNLI spokesperson said: “Kevin’s extraordinary contribution amounted to 56 years of dedicated service to the RNLI, spanning generations of lifeboats, crews, and volunteers.

“His knowledge, leadership, friendship, and unwavering commitment left a lasting mark on Minehead Lifeboat Station and on everybody fortunate enough to serve alongside him.

“Kevin’s son Andrew remains a serving crew member, having now given more than 40 years of service to the RNLI, a fitting testament to the values of commitment and service that Kevin embodied throughout his life.

“Our thoughts are with Kevin’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him.

“Fair winds and following seas, Kevin.

“Thank you for a lifetime of service and for the legacy you leave behind.”

Arrangements for Mr Escott’s funeral were this week still being made and will be announced shortly.