I HAVE the highest regard for those whose sworn duty is to save lives, often at the risk of losing theirs.

I am talking about the volunteers of the RNLI, who led by professional coxswains, regularly face testing rescues at sea.

South Dorset is privileged to host two lifeboat stations, whose records are second to none.

In Swanage, a new operations’ manager is settling into his role.

Colonel Rob Pullman, 55, served for 33 years in the Royal Engineers, before retiring to Dorset.

He’s inherited 31 crew members, two lifeboats – one ocean-going, one inshore – and a refurbished boathouse.

Since volunteering in July to “give something back, there’s been a steady stream of incidents.

The pandemic has not helped, with a huge number of visitors heading to our beauty spots and the inevitable problems.

Even with the early lockdown, Rob says the number of callouts since January have been roughly the same as last year.

Certain incidents stand out, like the yacht found deserted at Mudeford, which led to multiple lifeboat launches from Weymouth, Poole and Swanage in a hunt for a man overboard.

In the end, the boat had simply slipped its moorings.

Another, from a Weymouth fishing boat in the early hours, ended happily when the fisherman was plucked from the water after his boat hit a submerged obstruction.

With over 56 rescues this year, it’s all in a day’s work to Rob and the crew, but often a matter of life and death to those caught up in them.

It is only pertinent that I end my article paying tribute to Rob’s predecessor, Captain Neil Hardy MBE.

We owe him, Rob and the crew our profound and grateful thanks.