A courageous coxswain dubbed the “backbone” of the lifeboat station who saved countless lives has died.

Homage has been paid to “true friend” and “father figure” Stuart Adams who led Dungeness’ RNLI team for 23 years.

The 62-year-old, who lived and breathed life on the water, died last Saturday following a brief illness, the charity said.

“Stuart was the backbone of the lifeboat station at Dungeness, providing leadership and true friendship to all the volunteers that worked with him,” an RNLI spokesman said.

“He guided the volunteers through huge changes throughout his years at the charity, where he lived and breathed ‘Saving Lives at Sea.’ “

A keen angler from a young age, Mr Adams eventually became a commercial fisherman full-time after school.

His love of the sea would later see him join the RNLI in 1978 alongside a colleague until, in 2000, he was made full-time coxswain at Dungeness.

Dedicating his life to the role, Mr Adams bravely led his crew, ensuring their safety, while rescuing those who got into trouble off the Kent coast.

Explaining the father-of-two always went above the call of duty, the RNLI said: “Stuart was a confidante, a father figure, a calming influence and a figure of stability where no person felt unsafe going to sea under his command.

“He was highly respected by all that knew him, as well as being full of good humour.

“He actively ensured that the volunteers felt able to learn and was completely selfless in all of his endeavours.”

With the recent small boat crossings, the station has become much busier - the crew constantly encountering different scenarios and fresh challenges.

Mr Adams’ commitment to those onboard his vessell knew no bounds, their safety always at the forefront of his mind, often in very dangerous situations, the RNLI said.

“He encompassed the RNLI’s core value of everyone at the station being ‘One Crew,’ “ the charity went on.

Vicky Morgan, lifeboat operations manager, said the inspirational role model, who lived near the station, will be very sadly missed.

“Stuart inspired so many of the volunteers here at Dungeness with his outstanding commitment and his superb leadership,” she said.

“He was a humble man – never recognising his own extraordinary dedication towards the crew and the station.

“He was everything the RNLI stands for and was an exemplary role model for all those in the institution. He will be very sadly missed.”

Recently, Mr Adams was awarded the RNLI’s ‘Thanks on Vellum’ for his role as coxwain in the tragic events which unfolded in The Channel on December 14 last year, the tragic sinking of a small vessel.

Stuart leaves behind his wife Lisa who, the charity says, has shown remarkable dedication to the cause, while “sacrificing many family dinners, events and social occasions for her husband to do his duty as Coxswain.”

And he leaves behind two children - also volunteers turned staff at the worthy-cause.

Natalie went through the ranks at Dungeness as a volunteer before taking a full-time role at Gravesend Lifeboat Station as Thames Commander.

She now supports the lifeboat stations in the South East as an assessor trainer.

The RNLI said Mr Adams’ son Jason Adams will take over as coxwain at Dungeness station, which has been running since 1826.

Jason will lead the with the same core values as his father, the charity said, adding: “The station holds the Adams family close to their heart and shows the family their support in the same way the family have supported Dungeness Lifeboat Station for decades.

“They can be sure that Stuart’s legacy will live on for years to come.”

A statement from Mr Adams’ family reads: “We would like to thank the station, the wider RNLI and the local community for their amazing support and gestures of kindness at this most difficult time.”

His funeral service will be held at All Saints Church, Lydd, on July 26 at 11.30am.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like any donations to be made to Demelza House, a charity that Mr Adams always supported.