Farewell to Flipper

During my 20 years as a Coastguard in Poole I worked with the lifeboat crew on a regular basis. Paul "Flipper" Singleton was coxn of the ILB for many years and a nicer man and better seaman would be hard to find. Sadly he recently passed away and his funeral this morning was packed. I can't do any better than to copy the tribute from the Poole Lifeboat website:

Affectionately known as Flipper, Paul has been a huge part of Poole lifeboat crew since 1982 and will be sadly missed by all.
In over 30 years he served as Crew, Senior Helmsman and Second Coxswain on three inshore and three all-weather lifeboats and carried out over 1,600 shouts and saved 108 people. Always smiling and a natural comedian, Flipper's cheerful remarks have put quite a few seafarers at ease in difficult situations.
Paul was on several call outs that received RNLI recognition and Letters of Appreciation, including one from the Director after a successful rescue and resuscitation of a lady off Bournemouth Beach in 1996. Paul received both 20-year and 30-year Long Service Badges for his dedication, commitment and continuous service on the lifeboat and he has also received The Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.
He also represented the station and RNLI at many events, including meeting The Queen at St James's Palace in London at an event for prominent members of the seafaring community in 2007. In the same year Paul was awarded a BBC Community Champion Award.
Well known around the coast, Paul has taken many lifeboats on passage and served at other stations as relief Coxswain. Away from the station Paul was Skipper of Poole Harbour Commissioner's tug Herbert Ballam.
Our thoughts are very much with Paul's family and friends.
You are always our champion Flip. Rest in peace.