A Dundee man who has volunteered on board the local lifeboats for more than three decades has been named its new coxswain.
Peter Hay joined the RNLI in February 1988 and over the course of 34 years has crewed both all-weather and in-shore lifeboats. He was named deputy second coxswain - the lead crew member who helms the boat - in 2009.
He picked up a Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal for time served in the emergency services, adding to medals from the Diamond and Golden Jubilees as well as a long service medal from the lifeboat charity itself. Broughty Ferry Lifeboat announced Peter's appointment on Monday, shortly after legendary predecessor Murray Brown hung up his overalls for the last time.
He will take on the role full time after standing down from his job at local furniture shop Gillies, which has wished him well for the future.
Peter said: “I am honoured to accept the role of Coxswain. I love what the RNLI does: not just the crew, but everyone striving to support the organisation and have always felt proud to be a part of something that supports and engages the community.
"The RNLI operates to the following values and I hope I have exhibited this in my time and will continue to do so: selflessness, courage, dependability and trustworthiness.”
Among his proudest rescues was a 2005 incident where a fighter jet crashed into St Andrews Bay shortly after taking off from Leuchars in Fife. The crew helped to locate the pilots, who had successfully ejected, and stood by as they were rescued by RAF helicopters.
Peter added: "Our presence on scene and recovering debris along with other rescue assets made this a very memorable shout.”
Broughty Ferry was the first in-land lifeboat station in Scotland and remains one of the country's busiest. Across the entire nation lifeboats were called out 1176 times, saving the lives of more than 400 people.
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