After five decades of dedicated service, Arranmore Lifeboat Coxwain Jimmy Early has retired from his work with the RNLI.
Jimmy’s career on the call was celebrated at a special surprise gathering yesterday at the Arranmore Lifeboat Station.
He first started going out on shouts with the Arranmore lifeboat in his early teenage years, with yesterday marking his final day of service.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered to surprise Jimmy and let him know just how much his contributions to the lifeboat service on the island were appreciated.
“Lifeboats have been part of my life as long as I remember and I will miss working with an organisation that has one aim, that’s saving lives,” Jimmy said when his retirement was announced.
“I will miss the camaraderie with the crew, all of whom I’ve known for years, the wider RNLI crew who I’ve got to know as a relief coxswain at different stations and the close bond with all the people who work on behalf of the RNLI. It is a very big family that I’ve had the privilege to be involved with.”
The future remains bright for the Arranmore RNLI, as new Coxwain Kieran O’Donnell is ready to step up and take over the role.
“Of course I look forward to retirement and free time and I would like to congratulate Kieran on becoming the next coxswain, he’s a very capable young man and I have no doubt he will serve the community of Arranmore and the coast of Donegal and the RNLI for years to come,” Jimmy said.
