09/11/2025
🎉 RNLI Heroes Unite to Celebrate 44 Years of Service for Newhaven’s Phill Corsi 🚤
On Friday, 24 October, crews from Shoreham, Eastbourne, and Newhaven RNLI came together for a special joint all-weather lifeboat exercise to mark the retirement of Phill Corsi, who has dedicated an incredible 44 years, four months, and four days to saving lives at sea. 🌊
Phill’s RNLI journey began at just 17 years old, when—after years of pestering—his mum finally gave him a birthday card containing a permission note for the Newhaven coxswain, allowing him to join the crew.
Over the decades, Phill not only served as a volunteer lifeboat crew member but also as a Special Constable in Lewes and later in the ambulance service, where he built a distinguished career as a paramedic and service manager.
He then took on a full-time role with the RNLI as a fleet staff coxswain, travelling across the UK and Ireland to support and train lifeboat crews, before becoming Area Operations Manager for Sussex, overseeing stations from Shoreham to Rye Harbour.
Roger Cohen MBE, Newhaven’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said:
“I’ve had the great pleasure of volunteering with Phill for 43 years and count him as a good friend. Phill embodies the RNLI values of selflessness, dependability, courage, and trustworthiness every single day.”
Nathan Jauns, Regional Operations Lead, added:
“The word ‘legend’ is often overused, but in Phill’s case it’s absolutely justified. His patience, generosity, and vast experience have inspired so many.”
The team at Newhaven RNLI came together to say:
“Thank you and congratulations, Phill. You are an inspiration to us all – we’re immensely proud of your outstanding service. Happy retirement!” 🎉🚤👏
Photo Newhaven RNLI and Martin Sinnock
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