AN RNLI stalwart is hanging up his yellow wellies after four decades of sterling service.

After over 40 years of involvement with Abersoch RNLI, Gareth Hughes-Jones has passed on the role of lifeboat manager to Andrew Vowell.

Gareth, who started volunteering in the 70s, spoke of his time saving lives at sea and why he felt an affinity with the service.

“I have had involvement with the Abersoch lifeboat for over 40 years, as crew, helm, and recently as lifeboat operational manager,” he said.

“My family in Abersoch ‘Hookes’ have had extensive involvement with Abersoch Lifeboat going back to my great grandfather and my cousins Llew Bach and Tom Hookes.

“It seemed the right thing to do as it was in the family blood, also many of my friends were crew.”

The job, although always interesting, can also be perilous and upsetting.

“I have had many memorable shouts over the years which have included fatalities, which confirms the unpredictable nature of being lifeboat volunteers,” he reminisced.

According to the retiring lifeboatman, a sense of humour, a trusting nature and the ability to work as a team are key attributes for RNLI volunteers.

Read the full story in this tomorrow’s north editions of the Cambrian News