Coxswain John Collins of Baltimore in the Republic of Ireland first joined the lifeboat crew in 1955. He became second coxswain in 1965 and was appointed coxswain in 1972, being awarded a long service badge in 1982. John is a boat builder by trade and even with eight children he still finds time for his favourite hobby of fishing. His son, Christopher, is also a member of the lifeboat crew..