Queensferry RNLI volunteer recognised with 50-year Long Service Award

Donald started volunteering at the station as a boat crew in 1975, and worked his way up to achieve the role of helm. In 1993, Donald stepped into a shoreside role as a Launching Authority until 2016 and has since been involved in the management of the station. Throughout his 16 years as crew, he has been accredited with saving 37 lives.

Reflecting on his volunteering career, Donald says that his most challenging and memorable service call was to the Switha, a large fishery patrol vessel, that ran aground one mile east of Inchkeith Island during a storm on 31st January 1980.

At 5.30am, the crew of three launched the then Atlantic-21 lifeboat, Mary Livingstone, into a strong easterly force 9 gale. Battling against the weather and as the lifeboat passed Oxcars Lighthouse, the crew encountered short, steep waves which swamped the boat, eventually causing both engines to stop. Whilst the crew of the Switha were successfully evacuated by helicopter, the lifeboat sheltered in the lee of Inchcolm Island where the crew attempted engine repairs before being towed to Port Edgar.

The crew received a letter of commendation from the RNLI for their bravery and rescue efforts that night.

Over the past 50 years, there has been significant change at Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Station and at the charity. Donald has been at the station through its change from a small wooden shed, built in 1967, to when this was replaced by a more modern structure in 1989, now the Coastguard station, and the opening of the current station in 2012.

Donald says: ‘When I began volunteering the kit was only a waterproof jacket, waders and cork filled lifejackets. I remember the kit always being damp, as we didn’t have any way to quickly dry it.’

‘Now, the volunteers have drysuits and high tech lifejackets along with a much more advanced lifeboat, and a station with central heating!’

He goes on to say: ‘What hasn’t changed is the RNLI volunteers' dedication to their training and readiness to leave their jobs, families and friends to respond to those that need help 24/7, 365 days a year.’

Notes to editors

Queensferry lifeboat station has been operating since 1967. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/queensferry-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Sim, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Queensferry RNLI, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]