133. Courage and Loss: Pat Abram

RNLI volunteer Pat Abram knows only too well the devastating power of the sea

Pat has a lifelong awareness of the dangers of the sea. His father drowned at sea before Pat was born, and on the 5 January 1983, while working as a police officer in Blackpool, Pat and three colleagues went to the rescue of a man struggling in the sea – a courageous act that ended in tragedy.

Four lives were lost, leaving the local community devastated, and every year those people are remembered in a memorial service in the town. Pat shares his deeply moving story of the rescue attempt – during which he too almost lost his life – and how the incident influenced his decision to volunteer at RNLI Blackpool Lifeboat Station in the shop and as Deputy Launching Authority.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   

Interview by Adventurous Audio

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