It was to Peter Cheney that the RNLI turned when the decision was made in 1966 to establish a new lifeboat station in Littlehampton. Donations made in his memory, following his death in 2014, have funded the provision of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) for the volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat station.

Great British Life: Susan Cheney MBE presenting the PLBs to members of the volunteer lifeboat crew. Ritchie Souhterton/RNLISusan Cheney MBE presenting the PLBs to members of the volunteer lifeboat crew. Ritchie Souhterton/RNLI (Image: Archant)

Peter Cheney was appointed honorary secretary of the lifeboat station, which he managed for 25 years after it opened in 1967, operating the very first Blue Peter lifeboat. After Peter stepped down, he remained for a further five years as deputy launching authority, and then became the station chairman, a role that he held until his death.

The PLBs provide the crew with an additional level of protection when at sea and are stowed within each lifejacket. They are designed to be manually activated if a crew member falls overboard and becomes separated from the lifeboat and all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted. Activation alerts the Coastguard to the distress and pinpoints the location of the crewmember so that assistance can be provided.

A short dedication service attended by volunteer members of the crew, shore crew and operations was held at the lifeboat station, where Peter’s widow, Susan Cheney MBE, formally presented the newly commissioned PLBs to the crew, following their blessing by Rev David Farrant.

Littlehampton RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Nick White said: “The volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat are grateful to Mrs. Cheney’s family, friends and many others for the kind donations they have made in her husband’s memory. The PLBs will greatly enhance the personal safety of the crew who put their lives at risk to save others”.

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