A LONG serving member of Penarth Lifeboat Station has been awarded a gold badge by the RNLI as he steps down from his role as operations manager.

In recognition of his long service in a range of demanding roles, the RNLI has awarded Andrew Rabbaioti with the badge in its 2016 awards.

This will be presented to him later this year.

At the presentation, Mr Rabbioti is set to share many tales of his time both ashore and afloat whilst working at the station.

Jason Dunlop will take over from Mr Rabbaioti who has served in the role over two stints, firstly from 1996-2004 and again from 2012 until January 31 this year.

The lifeboat operations manager (LOM) is responsible to the RNLI for running all aspects of the local lifeboat station.

Mr Rabbaioti first volunteered as a shore crew member at Penarth in 1981.

Four years later, he trained and became an afloat crew member before progressing to the helm over the next 11 years.

He also served as a deputy launching authority for eight years between 2004 and 2012.

So far he has given a total of 34 and a half years of service to the RNLI in Penarth.

He has now taken on a new role as the Penarth lifeboat community safety officer.

Jason Dunlop is taking up the new challenge from February 1.

Mr Dunlop has been a helm at Penarth lifeboat station for the last six years and during that time he has twice received an Award on Velum for bravery from the RNLI.

The first was in 2011 for the rescue of a solo sailor on a yacht who was in danger of running aground near Lavernock Point in near gale conditions.

The second was for taking part in the rescue of woman who had been swept away in flood waters near Exeter in December 2012.

More recently, he was a team leader directing the rescue of people trapped in the Carlisle floods in December 2015.