Founder Whitstable Lifeboat Station member Pat Kemp has died.

Mr Kemp, 75, from Nacholt Close, Whitstable, served as helmsman, launcher and deputy launching authority during his many years of service to the Whitstable Lifeboat.

He also worked for a number of years as a full time engineer for the RNLI.

After the formation of Whitstable Lifeboat Station in 1963, Mr Kemp joined the crew as a helmsman.

He continued his involvement with the lifeboat station until 2002.

Former Whitstable Lifeboat honorary secretary Larry Lamberton said: “He was a smashing bloke, my number two at the station, and knew his job inside out.

“He was a good friend, and will be sorely missed by everyone.”

~For full obituary, see this week’s Whitstable Gazette.