Coxswain charts calmer waters

Hewitt Clark has been at the forefront of rescue operations

The RNLI's most decorated serving coxswain is retiring.

Over his 35 years at the helm of the Lerwick lifeboat, Hewitt Clark and his crew have saved more than 200 lives.

Two years ago he was awarded the charity's highest honour, a gold medal, for his gallantry in the rescue of five of the crew from cargo vessel Green Lily.

Hewitt Clark: "Tremendous job satisfaction"

The Bahamian-registered ship ran aground in mountainous seas off the island of Bressay.

Helicopter winchman Bill Deacon died in the operation after being swept off the deck of the ship in gale-force winds.

Two years earlier, Mr Clark took his lifeboat alongside a Russian fish factory ship more than 70 times to take the crew to safety after their vessel hit rocks.

He said he had enjoyed his time in a totally fulfilling career.

Mr Clark told BBC Scotland: "It's tremendous job satisfaction. Just the fact that when you come back from a rescue, people would be dead if it wasn't for you."

Brian Miles, former RNLI director, heaped glowing praise on the outgoing coxswain.

He said: "When you look back over those years and you think of the lives that he, supported by those various crews have saved, his record as the most highly decorated coxswain in the RNLI. It's a career that will long be remembered."

Although retiring, Mr Clark's family tradition carries on, with his son and nephew taking over as mechanic and coxswain.