Robin Castle has been coxswain /mechanic of Sheerness lifeboat since 1981.

In 1987 he was awarded a Bronze medal in recognition of his superb initiative, skill and courage during the famous 'October Hurricane' of that year when the Waveney class lifeboat Helen Turnbull rescued the two occupants of a 16ft boat on the Yantlet Flats in confused seas and a south westerly wind in excess of 90 knots.

Second coxswain Dennis Bailey and crew member Richard Rogers were accorded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum for going into the water to lay an anchor when the lifeboat grounded on the Yantlet Flats during the same service.

A full report of this service appeared in the Winter 1987/ 88 issue of THE LIFEBOAT..