School of hard knocks

In these days of enlightened equality upon lifeboats it is not uncommon to spot members of the fairer sex onboard one of the institutions rescue craft. Indeed 8% of lifeboat crews nationally are female according to recent figures. One consequence of this has been a softening of the image of lifeboat crewmembers. No longer are we all hairy old sea dogs who look like we have weathered more than our fair share of life's storms.

Of course there are exceptions. Ron is ours. He will never disappoint anyone who is seeking a traditionally appointed lifeboatman. No doubt, he has weathered a few storms, been round the block a few times, been trained at the school of hard knocks and had a tough paper round to boot.

Ron, our very own salty old sea dog!

When a man grows old and his balls grow cold
And the end of his p***k turns blue
And he's bent in the middle like a one string fiddle
He can tell you a tale or two.

When a man grows old and his balls grow cold
And the end of his p***k turns blue
And the hole in the middle refuses to piddle
I'd say he's f****d wouldn't you?
(The Ballad of Eskimo Nell)