After three decades of dedicated service to saving lives at sea, David ’Chick’ Kneen has retired from the RNLI.

The Port St Mary RNLI lifeboat operations manager has served his final day volunteering for the RNLI after joining in 1989.

In that time he held the roles of all-weather lifeboat crew member, inshore lifeboat crew member, deputy launching authority, lifeboat operations manager and the station’s volunteer press officer as well as working to raise money for the volunteer service.

During his time, David took part in about 60 all-weather lifeboat call-outs and 10 inshore lifeboat call-outs.

They have ranged from rescuing people, escorting or towing vessels with mechanical issues back to safety, searching for missing people and even being on standby for an aircraft that was suffering with a technical issue on landing.

Port St Mary Lifeboat operations manager Sarah Keggen said: ’On behalf of everyone at Port St Mary RNLI we wish our dear friend David ’Chick’ Kneen fair seas and safe harbours.

’In his three decades with our station he has left an incredible legacy that won’t be forgotten. To serve in the RNLI at any level is an incredible achievement but to serve, as David as done, in multiple roles over decades takes a level of dedication and commitment to his community that is both selfless and generous.

’His retirement is well deserved.’

To celebrate his retirement, he was presented with a certificate of service which was signed by the chief executive of the RNLI, Paul Boissier, and given a gift of a clock and barometer by the lifeboat crew.

It was presented by Port St Mary RNLI president Sir Miles Walker.