On the eve of his retirement, the RNLI’s most influential Master Mariner looks back on 40 years at ‘the sharp end’ ...

Michael Vlasto, RNLI Operations Director

I spent the best part of a decade sailing the world in merchant ships. There’s nothing like being caught in a typhoon to make you appreciate the power of the sea and the weather.

It took three attempts to talk my way into the RNLI. They weren’t recruiting but finally gave me a chance to prove myself as a young inspector in 1975. It was a baptism of fire – a lifeboat was wrecked on my first day.

I’ve done about five circuits of all our lifeboat stations. That’s a lot of listening and talking with a lot of inspirational people.

We’ve developed the RNLI massively over the last few years. But the focus has always remained on saving more lives. Opportunities don’t always present themselves by chance – we’ve worked hard with other organisations to bring new ideas to life.

The RNLI’s Coastal Safety work has grown like Topsy. I hope that continues because it will help reduce the breakdowntype services some of our crews do. They’re not judgemental but it must be irritating when you’re called out to someone who really hasn’t thought through the basics.

It’s the selfless nature of what the RNLI does that has made me tick for the last 40 years. And that tick hasn’t got any quieter.

Working for the RNLI has been a labour of love. I’ve mucked about in boats since I was knee-high to a grasshopper and I’m also a people person. The charity’s raison d’être is: dedicated people, using fantastic kit to save lives at sea. What more could a boy ask for?

It’s a family affair. My brother is Chairman of the Central London Fundraising Committee, my sister is involved with the Devizes Branch and my father became the RNLI’s Orthopaedic Adviser when he retired. He never told me; Pops just turned up at one of my meetings with a silly grin on his face.

Volunteering is alive and well. But the RNLI needs to keep adapting to a changing world. Times are tough and our volunteers also need time to earn a living to support their families.

I’m looking forward to reinvesting some time in my family. My wife and children have been so supportive of the work that I love. I’ll maintain a strong interest in the RNLI but it will be from the shore, using a good pair of binoculars!