128. One Plus Eight: Martin Stephen

Martin Stephen has three sons and five grandchildren. He reveals why none of them would be here without the RNLI

Martin Stephen and his two younger cousins, Angus and Davy, loved visiting Dunbar Harbour. When the wind blew strong, they’d pull on their welly boots and head down to watch the water crash onto the rocks. But on 23 December 1970, their windy-day ritual was never to be the same again.

With the wind blowing gale force 10, Davy got caught by a freak wave. Martin jumped in to try to save him, but the water was too ferocious. With both of them in serious trouble, Angus raised the alarm. Shortly after, the Dunbar lifeboat crew arrived and hauled Martin out of the sea. But tragically, Davy was never found.

Fifty-three years on, Martin recalls the terrifying moment when he thought he was going to die, and how this – and Davy’s passing – helped him to appreciate the simplicities of life: health, happiness, and family. He also explains how his rescue led to a career in helping other people – just as the volunteers helped him.

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