Donald Grant has been serving for a quarter of that time. For more than 50 years he served with Gairloch Coastguard Rescue Team as it responded to countless calls for help and saw many changes.
But this year he finally retired and a chapter ended both for him and the team he served with. When he began, there were still Breeches Buoys being used in lifesaving rescues. Donald says that in the early days there were significant differences in how things were done.
He said: ‘I can remember the times when we would do a shoreline search with four people with one torch between us. Now we have an array of equipment, techniques, and vehicles to assist us in conducting search and rescue.
“And yet in all that time, despite all those changes, one thing has stayed the same – the same thing drives us to seek to search, rescue and save.”
In the anniversary year it was appropriate that Donald was given a valedictory certificate recognising his long-standing service to HM Coastguard. The presentation took place at the new Gairloch Coastguard Rescue Station, and he was joined by both the Gairloch and Loch Ewe Coastguard Rescue Teams. He was presented with his certificate by Divisional Commander Matt MacKay.
Matt said: “Donald’s dedication and commitment to HM Coastguard and the wider community for over 50 years, representing over a quarter of HM Coastguard’s existence, is a remarkable achievement and sets an example to us all.”
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer in Area 2 which covers the Highland area from Inverness to John O’Groats and Gairloch to Dornoch you can contact us by email at Area2@mcga.gov.uk.
