Tributes have been paid to a "legendary" North East volunteer who dedicated more than 40 years to saving lives at sea.
Bryan Hodgson, honorary captain of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB), died at the end of July.
Mr Hodgson joined the brigade in 1968 and served on the rescue team until 2011, during which time he supported the transformation of the TVLB from a breeches buoy-focused crew into a modern, all-purpose rescue organisation.
He also played a crucial communications role before the era of mobile phones, relaying emergency messages to team members with the help of his wife.
A spokesperson for the TVLB said: "He had the ability to wake up a Brigade member, get their attention, pass the key callout information, and then hangup in 10 seconds down to a fine art!"
"Bryan is fondly remembered by many in the Brigade, and we are all very sad to hear of his passing."
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Following a period of national service, Mr Hodgson worked as a chef, earning a "legendary reputation" within the team for his barbecues, cakes, and ham and pea soup.
He was also known for his dedication to emptying the brigade’s collection boxes in pubs and shops, as well as his patience in untangling and repacking the lines used in the breeches buoy rockets.
His cremation will take place on Friday, August 21, at 12.45pm at Tynemouth Crematorium.
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