Exmouth’s harbour master Keith Graham will retire on Friday after 17 years at the helm. Keith said he had ‘loved’ the job over the years and =made some good friends

Keith, who served as Exmouth’s RNLI coxswain for 14 years, took on the role in 1993 and will tomorrow, Friday, hand over the reins to Pete Woodham-Kay.

He said was ‘looking forward’ to his retirement but would miss many of the friends he had made over the years.

Keith said: “I will be going out fishing in my boat and my wife has got a few jobs she wants me to do.

“I will just be enjoying myself.

“I loved the job. I met some lovely people and made lots of friends down there. I am going to miss it like I missed the lifeboat.

“For the first 12 months I felt naked walking out without a pager on my hip.

“But I shall be around on the docks – I shall be sitting on the new bench by the bridge dedicated to Garth Gibson and John Nettleton.”

Keith’s successor, Pete, has been involved with the marine industry for the last 10 years.

It is hoped he will take the marina forward as part of an ongoing service project.

Exmouth Marina Limited spokesman said: “We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks and gratitude to Keith for the positive contribution he has made to the marina and its many users.

“He has worked hard to ensure the needs of its daily users are met and has helped support the considerable changes that have taken place.

“We wish him the very best with his retirement.”