A SEAFARER who helped save countless lives over the last three decades is finally calling it a day.

Whitby lifeboat coxswain Mike Russell, who has just turned 60, has retired after 30 years of selfless effort rescuing those in peril at sea.

He joined the RNLI back in 1987 while he was working on a fishing boat and running a fishing shop. No stranger to the sea, he was keen to join the volunteer lifesaving crew in his home town.

In 1995 Mike temporarily became emergency coxswain, and by 1998 was appointed second coxswain. In 2002 the previous coxswain Keith Stewart retired and Mike stepped into his shoes.

His longest single "shout" spanned 22 hours at sea, on a search for two lads in a small fishing vessel who the crew eventually found and rescued.

However even on the roughest call-outs he has never suffered from sea sickness. "Sea sickness can hit anyone, even the most experienced seaman. I've been very lucky," he said.

He added: "The sad memories do stay with you but then so do the funny ones such as the time crew member Stephen Boocock had to swim round after a labrador in order to rescue it."

He said one of the most difficult aspects of his role had been the consequences for his family.

Many a time his pager has gone off and he has had to leave his wife Carolyn sat alone in a restaurant, or with a full trolley of shopping in a supermarket.

"I couldn't have done this without the love and support of my family," he said.

"I've been on the lifeboat crew since before my two sons were born - they've never known any different. I'm looking forward to be able to give them more of my time and especially my two grandchildren Storm, three, and Henry who is eight months."

He added: "The crew have been my family for the last thirty years too. I've seen these lads grow up and flourish and I will enjoy watching them take over the reigns.

"You get to know your crew - their strengths and their personalities. We socialise together as well as train. This means when we're out to sea we've got each others backs. There's got to be trust and respect. as a coxswain you're only as good as your crew."

He added: "The lifeboat has been in Whitby for over 200 years and we are merely custodians of it at a certain time. It will carry on for years long after we've all gone."

Mike also thanked the manny fundraisers and supporters of Whitby RNLI, calling them the backbone of the charity.

"I've grown very close to many of our fundraisers over the years. They raise money, raise awareness - and they even bring me Cornish pasties. We wouldn't be here without them."

He is now taking on an new role as chairman of the charity while former second coxswain Howard Fields has taken over Mike's former role on the lifeboat itself.