He enrolled soon after as a volunteer and now – 41 years later, aged 59 – he has been honoured at a special presentation attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire to mark his retirement from search and rescue.
Colin joined what became the Stonehaven Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) in May 1983, going on to lead the group for 26 years when he became Station Officer in 1994.
In recognition of his efforts over four decades he was awarded a British Empire Medal this year in the King’s Birthday Honours.
His farewell ceremony in August was attended by Lord-Lieutenant Alastair Macphie as well as Assistant Chief Coastguard for Scotland and Northern Ireland Pat O'Callaghan and Divisional Commanders David Sharp and Matt Mackay.
The gathering at the Stonehaven Sea Cadets’ base, where Colin was presented with an HM Coastguard Long Service Award, included members of Aberdeen and Montrose CRTs, Stonehaven RNLI and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Colin said: “I’m very proud of my four decades with HM Coastguard, helping to keep people safe on the coast and at sea. It was an honour to be waved off by my team and fellow emergency services colleagues.
“Things have changed a lot since I enrolled in 1983, especially the technology which has gone from wellies and cork lifejackets to the modern service it is today. I'm pleased it remains in very good hands.”
One of Colin’s most unusual callouts was to recue a cow from the bottom of a cliff, which required a vet and tranqiliser dart.
Despite his retirement, it’s still a Moir who leads Stonehaven CRT as Colin’s son, Stuart, is the current Station Officer having picked up the mantle in 2020.
Coastguarding runs in the family as Colin’s wife, Susan, had a short stint in 1989 until becoming pregnant with another son, Glen, who is also a Coastguard Rescue Officer in Stonehaven CRT.
Phil Skingle, Senior Coastal Operations Officer, said: “We’ll miss Colin hugely, but his dedication and skills have been passed to the current generation of coastguards who will continue in his footsteps.”
(Main photo credit: Craig Masson)
