Former Lyme Regis lifesaver Ken Gollop on the pre-launch adrenaline felt by every crew member

Some things are just in the blood. Like many RNLI volunteers, Ken Gollop is one of a long line of lifesavers from the same family. His great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all members of the old pulling lifeboat in Lyme until 1932. So when Ken and his brother joined up, they were doing what came naturally.

Hear about his instinctive nightly ritual – a habit he couldn’t shake even after he left the crew. Before Ken went to sleep at night, it wasn’t his slippers that he kept by the bed.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls   

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200