A man who has helped save lives at sea for more than a decade said his final farewells to his crewmates at The RNLI Lizard Lifeboat Station.

 Coxswain Dan Atkinson has retired from the role after 15 years of dedicated service.

To commemorate his departure, the Lizard Lifeboat crew as well as the Falmouth Lifeboat crew joined together to throw a surprise leaving party for Dan.

Falmouth Packet: Dan Atkinson has retired from the role after 15 years in service Dan Atkinson has retired from the role after 15 years in service (Image: Geoff Squibb)

After taking command of his final exercise before leaving the station, the lifeboat crew, shore crew, personnel, friends, and colleagues surprised Dan upon RNLB Rose’s arrival back on the slipway for rehousing.

Balloons, banners, and many T-shirts bearing Dan’s face were all around the station, and several gifts were presented to Dan.

Falmouth Packet: Members of the crew with Dan's face on T-shirts Members of the crew with Dan's face on T-shirts (Image: Geoff Squibb)

An RNLI Lizard Lifeboat Station spokesperson said: “After 15 fabulous years here at The Lizard Lifeboat Station, Dan has taken up a position away from the RNLI which he will begin next week.

Dan, you will be sorely missed by us all here at The Lizard and we wish you all the luck in the world in your new job.”

Even on his final day, Dan's commitment to duty shone through. Just after 10pm, the crew was paged for a launch request from Falmouth Coastguard.

Falmouth Packet: Dan with his friends, family and members of the crew onboard RNLB Rose Dan with his friends, family and members of the crew onboard RNLB Rose (Image: Geoff Squibb)

Having received multiple calls from members of the public, The Lizard Lifeboat was tasked to proceed to Mullion Island after many flashing lights had been seen causing concern that there may be persons trapped or stranded there.

RNLB Rose arrived on the scene at 10.40pm and carried out a thorough search of the entire area via searchlights with the assistance of Coastguard teams from Mullion and Porthoustock.

During this time further information had been received by Falmouth Coastguard that the lights may be coming from a newly installed bird watch camera used by a bird ringing group.

After no casualties were sighted and because of the new information, Falmouth Coastguard stood down the lifeboat to return to the station arriving there shortly before 11.30pm.

RNLB Rose was rehoused and made ready for service again when required.

This service shout was a false alarm following calls made in good faith from members of the public.