An RNLI volunteer from the Isle of Wight, who is the fifth generation of his family to have been involved with his village's lifeboat station, is continuing to follow in the footsteps of his great-great-great-grandfather.

John Attrill, who first joined the crew in 2019, has now passed out as a D class helm on the station's inshore lifeboat.

John's family has links to Bembridge RNLI dating back to its first lifeboat in 1867.

John’s great-great-great grandfather, Joey, was coxswain of Bembridge Lifeboat from 1878 to 1905 and was part of rescue efforts in 1888, when the SS Sirenia ran aground on Atherstone Ledge.

History states that Joey and second coxswain James Baker walked 15 miles to Atherfield in their leather sea boots to assist Brighstone lifeboat. 

On arrival they sadly found that the lifeboat had capsized and Moses Munt and second coxswain Tom Cotton, plus two crew from the Sirenia, had been lost.

Joey immediately volunteered with others to man the lifeboat for a third, successful trip out to the Sirenia and the remaining crew were safely brought ashore.

John’s father Alan and his uncle Geoff were also involved Bembridge RNLI. In August 1993, they crewed the inshore lifeboat to save three sailors from yacht, Bari, that had run aground on Bembridge Ledge.

John has lived in Bembridge all his life and is married to Amy. Together, they have an eight-year-old son, Teddy.

Bembridge RNLI said Teddy already possesses extensive knowledge of everything related to the station.

"We suspect he will join the crew once he is old enough!".