Ilfracombe Crew
Andrew Putt (Coxswain / Mechanic)
Andrew served as a volunteer crew member at Salcombe before joining at Ilfracombe as fulltime Mechanic. He became Coxswain/Mechanic in January 1992.
Andrew was awarded the institutions’ Thanks on Vellum for service to the fishing vessel Torridge Warrior in March 1994.
Andrew Bengey (2nd Coxswain)
Andrew officially started on the beach launching and recovering the lifeboat in 1972. He joined the crew in 1977, his 1st service at the age of 16 and became 2nd Coxswain in 1988.
Andrew runs his own accountancy firm alongside running charter boat ‘Obsession’ from Ilfracombe harbour taking groups of divers to Lundy Island.
Dave Paul Clemence (3rd Mechanic)
Dave Paul grew up around the lifeboat as his father was Coxswain.
Dave Paul who was appointed 3rd Mechanic in 2003 works as an engineer for South West Water and in his spare time runs his own charter boat the ex RNLI Rother class lifeboat Hampshire Rose, out of Ilfracombe Harbour.
Leigh Hanks (Deputy 2nd Coxswain)
Leigh started on the beach launching and recovering the lifeboat in 1991 joining the crew in 1992. He became 2nd Mechanic in 2000 and Deputy 2nd Coxswain in 2003.
Leigh a motor mechanic who runs his own business is also a helmsman on the inshore lifeboat.
