A DEDICATED Coastguard volunteer has signed off from life-saving duties after more than two decades of service.
Deirdre Oakley, who has been a member of the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) for 23 years, completed her final official duty on Saturday (December 10) before retiring on what was her 65th birthday.
Throughout her time with the CRT, Deirdre will have responded to hundreds of callouts to help those in need, attended a countless number of public relations and community engagement events to promote coastal and water safety, and undertaken thousands of hours of life-saving training in a vast range of search and rescue disciplines including water rescue and technical rope rescue.
During her last incident prevention patrol, the team caught up with The Grey Dippers ahead of an incredibly cold looking dip in the sea as part of the group's cold water therapy and fund-raising efforts for The Hub food bank charity in Ardrossan.
A CRT Facebook post read: "But it didn’t just end with a group photo. While deployed, Deirdre took a radio transmission from Belfast Coastguard Maritime Rescue coordination centre to wish her a happy birthday and to thank her for dedicated service followed by a second radio transmission from Coastguard Helicopter 199 to wish her all the best too.
"While Deirdre may have retired from the team, there’s still a Christmas team night out to come and a formal presentation evening in the New Year.
"And of course Deirdre will remain forever welcome to pop in and keep in touch with the team – once a Coastguard, always a Coastguard.
"Massive thanks to Deirdre for her dedication and commitment over the years and we all wish her the very best in her retirement from the service and in her future endeavours."
Deirdre commented under the post: "Thank you everyone for your kind messages.
"I have loved every minute of being a member of the Ardrossan Coastguard team. Most amazing team and organisation.
"I will miss you all terribly."
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