I meet Lee at Hunstanton lifeboat station, where he's been volunteering for decades.
"I joined back in 1996," he tells me, "My wife and I had recently moved to the area. I was chatting to a few crew members in the pub and they said come and have a go, give it a try, and that was it - I've been hooked ever since.
"I didn't realise I'd be doing it for this long. It's gone so quick, so, so quick. I've spent a lot of time at sea, it's become a way of life."
As well as being a lifeboat helmsman, Lee's a senior commander on the hovercraft.
"Why did I decide to join? Well, my go to answer is always when I was a little boy in the 70's my favourite programme was The Thunderbirds.
"And yeah I just wanted to be one, and you can actually hear me humming the theme tune as we get called out sometimes."
I ask to hear the theme tune - he laughs, "I'm not doing that right now!"
Over the years Lee's been involved in numerous rescues. Some, he says, with outcomes that are 'heartbreaking'. "There was one time when I got down here, and there was kite surfer in trouble just off the cliffs, so we launched the boat.
"We were helping with CPR, and it was only whilst I was doing that that I realised I knew this guy, his daughter and my daughter used to go to school together. Unfortunately he passed away, that one will always haunt me."
When a rescue is successful though, Lee says there's nothing comparable, "There's no better feeling in the world than bringing someone home safe from sea, you get a buzz, just going, there's your loved one again."
"It takes a lot of your time, training, commitment - you're running out on family barbecues, birthdays, weddings - the pager goes, you go. You have go to have a very understanding family.
"My wife's grandparents were lifeboat crew, so she's been brought up with it.
"All my family's been involved as well, both my son and my daughter have been on the crew - very proud moment when they both joined and followed in my footsteps."
Lee with his son, Nathan
Hunstanton RNLI presented Lee with a Certificate of Thanks from the Council of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, to recognise his 'commitment, professionalism and kindness throughout his 30 years'.
It also recognises 'the lasting difference he has made to those he has aided, his station, fellow volunteers and the wider RNLI.'
The 55 year old will still be involved with the hovercraft and help with training new volunteers.
Lee with fellow crew members
"I'm retiring from being the helm of the lifeboat, it's a big responsibility there are younger people that deserve that role better than me now. I've got some good memories out there - so it's time to pass it on."
He also gives a nod to his crew members, "To volunteer the most precious thing you have, which is time, is just the most remarkable thing.
"Once you're out there, you're not friends, you're a crew, you have to trust each other, watch each other's backs - the training kicks in. The bond on whatever craft you're on, is really, really strong. You're just one crew."
Any advice for people who're thinking of volunteering?
"Just don't brush it off and think I'd wish I'd done that, give it a go, and if it's not for you, fair enough, you gave it a try - but you just might enjoy it, it can change your life, change your stars - it did mine.
"The RNLI is the best hobby in the world, I get to play with millions of pounds worth of equipment, meet some amazing people, do some amazing training, and try and do some good at the end of the day."
Well done Lee for dedicating 30 years to the RNLI - what an incredible person and achievement.
