THE operations manager at Helensburgh’s lifeboat station retired on New Year's Day - after half a century's service with the RNLI in the town.
Colin Gardiner was presented with a print of the former Helensburgh lifeboat ‘Gladys Winifred Tiffney’ at the crew’s annual dinner.
Chairman Donald McLaren made the presentation before Bob McMasters, sea safety officer for the RNLI, presented Colin with a plaque and certificate of service. The crew of the lifeboat also presented Colin with a restaurant gift.
Colin joined the Helensburgh lifeboat station as a shore helper in 1968, later becoming a crew member. In 1982 he became senior helm before retiring from the crew in 1994. During his time he attended approximately 240 calls.
In 2000 he became deputy launching authority and was appointed lifeboat operations manager in 2004.
In 2013 Colin received the British Empire Medal for his contribution to maritime safety in Helensburgh and around the UK.
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