EX-fisherman Arthur Geddes didn’t want to sever his links with the sea when he decided to look for a job ashore. So joining HM Coastguard was the perfect solution for him. And he has been rewarded for over a quarter of a century’s dedication to the service by being made an MBE.
Arthur, 58, has been sector officer at Cruden Bay for the past 20 years. His place of work is just a few steps from his home in the village’s Aulton Road. The dad-of-five — has two sons and three daughters — will be taking early retirement in March next year and hopes to land himself some part-time work.
His Coastguard career started at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland in 1970. He later moved to Dunbar and Fife Ness before being appointed sector officer at Cruden Bay in 1976. Peterhead born-and-bred Arthur, a member of the Salvation Army, said: “I had been at sea for 17 years and I wanted a shore-based job. “Life with the Coastguard has been very interesting and rewarding and at times very exciting. “Having spent so long at sea myself, I’ve always been able to appreciate the sort of conditions fishermen and sailors face out there. “This award was totally unexpected and I feel very honoured.”
Teetotal Arthur will be having a quiet celebration to mark the announcement. “I’ll be raising a glass of something non-alcoholic,” he said.
