THE crew at the Helensburgh lifeboat station have said a fond farewell to two of their long-serving volunteers.

Pete Tindal, who joined the lifeboat in 2011 before becoming senior helm in 2014, has saved 11 lives during his 13 year spell on the rescue boat.

Howard Morrison presents Pete Tindal with his service certificateHoward Morrison presents Pete Tindal with his service certificate (Image: RNLI Helensburgh) Meanwhile, the lifeboat's mechanic John Blackwell has spent 26 years on the rescue boat.

For a decade, he was also a crew member and helm, but during his time he maintained and carried out repair work to ensure the boat was always ready to go at a moments notice.

John Blackwell was presented with a signed propeller by the crew in recognition of his serviceJohn Blackwell was presented with a signed propeller by the crew in recognition of his service (Image: RNLI Helensburgh) Howard Morrison, lifeboat operations manager, said: “We are always sad to see crew members leave especially when they have been part of the lifeboat family for so long.

"Our heartfelt thanks to them both for their dedicated and selfless work in saving lives at sea. They will always be welcome at the lifeboat station.”

Helensburgh lifeboat crew and management teamHelensburgh lifeboat crew and management team (Image: RNLI Helensburgh)The lifeboat has been called out 55 times so far this year, and more than 2,000 times since the station was founded in 1965.

For more information about the Helensburgh Lifeboat rescue station and the work they do, visit rnli.org.