A LONG-SERVING lifeboat volunteer has handed over the reins to an important role as he spends his time split between Dunbar and Spain.

Dave Anderson, who has been involved with the town’s lifeboat station for nearly 25 years, has been Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) for 12 years.

He is handing over to Ian Wilson, who previously served as a launch authority. Long-serving volunteer Dave, 63, will continue to act as a launch authority when in Dunbar.

Originally from Glasgow, Dave moved to Dunbar in 1987 when he became an operations engineer at Torness Power Station.

A keen sailor, he considered joining the RNLI crew and only stricter eyesight restrictions at the time prevented him going to sea.

Instead, he became a launch authority and performed the role for 12 years before stepping up as LOM following the retirement of David Lees.

Now, as he divides his time between Dunbar and Spain, he felt the time was right to hand over the reins.

He said: “Ian has over 40 years’ experience with the RNLI and it is nice to be able to hand the LOM duties over to him.”

In his 24-year association with the station, Dave has experienced many unusual call-outs, listening in as events unfold over the radio and liaising with HM Coastguard and the volunteer crew.

He said: “My first as launch authority was in November 1999 when a fully armed Tornado fighter jet suffered engine fire and ditched into the sea, a mile north of Torness.

“The lifeboat launched and the crew found the crash site and marked the position.

“It transpired the pilots had ejected over land and were unhurt.”

New LOM Ian, who officially took over at the start of the month, said: “Dave is a tough act to follow, but I’m honoured to take on the role and hope to do my best for the crew and the community.”

Mark Lees, Dunbar lifeboat management group chair, thanked his colleague for his years of service.

He said: “Being the operations manager is a very challenging job, totally voluntary and on call 24/7.

“It’s a huge testament to the kind of person that Dave is that he would give up so much of his personal time to serve both the station and the community.

“What he has given is truly humbling.”