The latest station coxswain at St Ives RNLI is continuing a long family tradition, following his great grandfather, father, and brother in the role.

For more than 100 years, the Cocking name has been synonymous with the St Ives lifeboat,  and Rob Cocking is continuing that tradition, having progressed from crew member in September 2003, to full time mechanic and second coxswain in July 2011, and now taking over the position his brother Tommy held until 2011.

Rob will be full time coxswain for the station’s Mersey class lifeboat, and is looking forward to a new era of lifesaving at the helm of the new Shannon class lifeboat which is due to arrive next month. 

He said: "The lifeboat has been in my blood for over a century and the role of coxswain is something I’ve always wanted to do, so I feel extremely honoured to now be in this position. I’m taking over at a very poignant time as we prepare for the arrival of our Shannon next month, and it will be a very proud moment for me when I bring our new lifeboat into her home port."

Derek Hall, volunteer lifeboat operations manager for the station, added: "I’m delighted Rob has become coxswain of St Ives RNLI, a role he has earned and fully deserves. Rob has been dedicated to the station for many years, as generations of his family have been before him and on behalf of everyone at St Ives RNLI I wish him well in his new role."