A LARGS lifeboat veteran has told how he is still saving lives - almost 50 years after being recruited during a simple stroll along the prom.

Dave Hewitt, 73, is a shining example to the new recruits at Largs lifeboat station having gone on his first ever call-out way back in 1971.

But the stalwart explained how he may never have experienced the thrills of scores of rescues if he hadn't gone for a walk all those years ago.

The former IBM worker said: "I was enjoying a nice walk along the prom and the team were there doing their thing.

"I got chatting to them and offered my assistance as a young man with a willingness to help. The next thing I was asked if I wanted to go out on the boat!

"I had pretty much no experience of sailing or the water, and things were very basic back then.

"We used to have a wooden building and a 18-foot inflatable - it was pretty simple stuff and you had to supply your own welly boots and buy RNLI jumper, which cost £15.

"I also had to purchase three sets of smocks and waterproof trousers.

"The D class boat was a very wet vessel, but we did a lot of sterling work out in it."

Dave's career began before even the days of pagers. Instead, a maroon rocket signal boomed around the town to alert the crew members - and everyone else - of an emergency.

The crew covered from Cloch Lighthouse in Gourock to Ardrossan but would also work in waters as far afield as Tighnabruaich in the winter months.

David's took part in everything grom fishing boat rescues to a rare submarine accident on the Clyde, where somebody sadly perished during a training exercise.

He said: "I remember on one occasion we were called out to the Waverly when it ran aground on the Gantock Rocks.

"Communication has also improved a great deal over the years and there are more vessels on the sea which can come and provide support.

"CalMac are also very good when it comes to offering assistance.

"It's a young man's game now. In my latter years, I think it was when the wind was blowing hard in the middle of the night that you start to realise you have had enough of that.

"The likes of Largs Yacht Haven, the Royal Yachting Association and local sailing schools are very good in terms of awareness. We also receive a lot of support from the marina."

Dave still loves the teamwork and camaraderie around the RNLI and spoke fondly of some great characters, including his late friend Henry Crawford, a former merchant navy seaman.

Dave recalled: "Henry had travelled the world and he used to have people in fits of laughter with some of his stories. He is much missed about the station."

Dave, who served as Lifeboat Operations Manager, also met Princess Anne when the station was officially opened by HRH in 1998. The Duke of Kent is among other royalty who have visited.

The pensioner says it is 'changed days' with more safety legislation and boats which can make it between Largs and Bute in 12 minutes.

The crew have left big birthday parties and anniversary events to attend emergency calls - with chef Jim Lyons at the Queens Hotel to provide extra food upon the crew's return.

Dave said: "Nowadays we have all the gadgets including radar navigational aids, and we have the assistance of the Coastguard Sikorsky helicopter when necessary.

"We started off with a single storey timber wooden hut where we even had to provide our own benches, and build a look out tower and look at us now.

"We used to have to do all our own repairs to boats, but nowadays we can bring in outside contractors."

Dave paid credit to the RNLI Fundraising Branch for raising a phenomenal £43,000 last year, and also thanked local businesses for their support.

He is married to wife Mae and have two children, Jennifer and Dave Hewitt junior, who is also a crew member.

Dave says: "It has been a lot of hard work but we've always had great teamwork and camaraderie - and a heck of a lot of fun. The lifeboat station belongs to Largs."

He joined the RNLI in May 1971 as a crew member until 1976 when he became a helmsman on the B class lifeboat of the time. He remained in that role until March 1990 when he was appointed as Lifeboat Operations Manager, previously known as the ‘Hon Sec’ until his retirement towards the end of 2016, a total of 45 years of service.

His unstinting passion means that he still goes along and provides a helping hand at the station with his friend, another veteran, Alasdair Woods. Both also take on press duties for the Largs and Millport Weekly News.