Ashes Andrew Munson have been scattered in Newlyn Harbour

Saturday, August 10 was a day of memories at the RNLI’s Penlee Lifeboat Station with the scattering in Newlyn harbour of the ashes of our much respected Lifeboat Operations Manager Andrew Munson.

Carol Munson and her family joined the lifeboat crew at the station for a reception and to reflect on Andrew's life.

Andrew had been part of the Penlee branch and its lifeboats for over 50 years.

He had received the RNLI's 50 years service medal, the RNLI Gold Award in 2012 in recognition of his services to the RNLI - and the RNLI's special award of binoculars. He had also been a deputy launching authority and was made Lifeboat Operations Manager in 1989.

Before his passing Andrew had said: "I reflect on those who passed through the Penlee branch, the coxswains and crews, and sadly I was in the company of Dudley Penrose and Mike Sutherland when we identified the wreckage of our lifeboat the Solomon Browne”.

Andrew would often sit at the window of his house, overlooking the harbour, waiting for 'his' boat to come home after a shout.

Andrew was not only heavily involved with the RNLI, but also Newlyn Harbourmaster for over 30 years (1980 to 2013) and the French Consular Agent for Cornwall, having helped many injured French fishermen with repatriation to France after their hospital care – for these services he was awarded the French Honour of Knight of the Maritime Merit Order.

He was a founder member of both the South West Ports Association and the UK Harbour Masters’ Association.