Picture: Eric Cormack. Image No.(043638).
FOR over three decades Gordie Lawtie has been a cornerstone of Buckie RNLI’s life-saving team and last Thursday evening it was time for colleagues to wish him all the best for his retirement. Mr Lawtie (55) began his career with the maritime search and rescue charity in 1986, ending his career as the full-time mechanic and second coxswain at Buckie lifeboat station. On hand to present him with his retirement vellum on behalf of the RNLI was area lifeboat manager Henry Weaver who, reading from a letter of congratulations to Mr Lawtie from operations director George Rawlinson, went on to highlight that the charity relied heavily on the dedication of its volunteer and the families who support them. Mr Weaver added: “During Gordie’s time with the RNLI, Buckie lifeboat saved 73 lives.” Paying tribute to Mr Lawtie, Buckie RNLI lifeboat operations manager Joe Herd said: “I’d like to personally thank Gordie for his dedication to the crew and even more so to the boat. “The Buckie boat was never really know as the William Blannin or even the Buckie lifeboat, it was always Gordie’s boat, which I think says something in itself. “When I started in this job I was kind of thrown in the deep end and if I wanted a question answered I always knew to ask that man sitting in the corner. “However, time and tide wait for know man and on behalf of us all at Buckie RNLI I’d like to wish Gordie a long and happy retirement.” Life without being tied to a pager has been treating Mr Lawtie well. He told the Advertiser: “It’s been a big change to my lifestyle after all that time but I’m really enjoying having my time to myself. “I’m able to do what I want to do and have even got a dog now.”