Darryl White joined the coastguard service on the 5th April, 1975 and was first posted at Prawle Point, which is the southernmost point of Devon.
There he stayed for 3 years before moving to Humber on the 23rd January, 1978. Humber covers 25,000 nautical square miles and ABP Ports situated on the River Humber and the River Tees are amongst the very busiest harbours in the United Kingdom with the Humber accounting for around 120 major ship movements daily.
Due to the much varied topography coastal incidents occur in many differing forms including searches of missing persons, persons cut off by the tide, persons falling over cliffs, persons stuck attempting to climb cliffs, people stuck in mud and swimmers in difficulty.
Darryl spent nearly 9 year as a Coastguard Officer working alongside 29 coastal rescue teams from Amber, Tyne, Whitby, Scarborough and Hull sectors, when along with his now growing family, Darryl made the move north to Montrose.
1987 saw Darryl now looking after a large number of then Coastguard Auxiliaries and stations from Arbroath to the south and Stonehaven to the north. After following a government review it was decided that lighthouses be automated and coastguard lookout and coastguard stations be reduced in numbers. This saw automation of Scurdie Ness lighthouse in 1987 and Todd head in 1988 along with closure of the lookouts at Johnhaven and Gourdon. In 1997 Darryl was appointed as Montrose Sector Manager when the organisation became the MCA, Maritime & Coastguard Agency and restructuring took place.
 
Now overseeing four stations, Arbroath, Montrose, Gourdon and Stonehaven, with skills ranging from cliff, flood and mud rescue with a coastline that is diverse with many areas enjoying cliffs to a maximum height of 330 feet. In between these high cliff areas are some of the finest sandy beaches in Scotland especially in the St.Cyrus, Montrose and Lunan Bay areas.
Darryl has been known for his commitment to the community on and off duty in providing safety information and advice including organising the erection of safety notices along some of the sectors most beautiful and dangerous coastline.
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Here are comments from members of the coastguard service that Darryl has worked alongside and inspired over the years.
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 I have known Darryl and worked with him for nearly 11 years, as a Sector Manager Darryl always had his teams their welfare and training and his guard as his number one priority.
He has never been the shy retiring type if Darryl thought something was not right he would be
in their ensuring his voice and opinions were heard, never scared of grabbing the bull by the horns and running with it and not scared to ruffle a few feathers along the way, who ever those feathers belonged to.
Darryl and I have not always seen eye to eye with things work related, but that has never got in the way of a good professional relationship. Darryl is a guy who stands up for what he believes in, which is a trait I admire and respect greatly. Darryl is a mover and a shaker (not talking about the dance floor) he gets things done.
On a personal note I have found Darryl to be a very supportive colleague who has always been there if required on the end of the phone willing to give advice and help on a variety of topics, not all work related. Darryl is a good proud family man and rightfully so, who also showed an interest in any of my own family news.
I wish Darryl all the best for his retirement and fully expect that he will use his quality time with family and friends to the best advantage. Whilst still finding the time to expand his recently discovered musical talents.
Robbie Robertson
St Andrews Sector Manager
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 I have know Darryl of coming up to 9 years now. And have found him to be one of the most genuine people I have ever met.
When I first joined the Coastguard Darryl wanted it to be known that no matter what the problem be it Coastguard related or not he was always there for a chat and a brew. He has been far more than a Sector manager to the team in Montrose and has been a great friend to many.
He has been very well respected by everyone he has ever met and worked with, he has moved his own life around to make sure that the team is looked after.He is there on the cliffs with us no matter what the weather, he has come out in the middle of the night just to bring us food (always important to feed the animals).
As I have said in the past Sector Manager has to be one of the hardest jobs in the Coastguard, you have all the teams looking to you for training, help and from time to time a right good moan, he also gets everything coming down from the top and has to keep both sides happy, this is something that Darryl has been able to do with great ease.
On a personal note I cant thank Darryl for all the help and advice that he has given me over the years, he has my utmost respect and although my might not always see eye to eye, if he leads I will follow. When things have gone bad on jobs or elsewhere he is always on the phone making sure we are ok or coming round to check on you.
You couldn't ask for a better guy
Scott Constantine
Montrose Depute Station Officer
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Mr White said today, “This craze has resulted in quite a few deaths and an awful lot of serious injuries over the past couple of years, but the fact is that we really can’t do anything about it, other than to offer advice and guidance.
Leap into the unkown, Evening Telegraph, 2nd September 2005
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 I have known Darryl since I came into the Eyemouth Sector in 1999. Over the years we have found out (as you do in such a small service as ours) that we know lots of the same people from Humber MRCC as we both `done time' there although it was known as Spurn when Darryl was there.
My impressions of Darryl are of an old fashioned, meticulous Coastguard (nowt wrong with that) who takes pride in his job and wearing his uniform. Times change however, but not always for the best, and in my opinion, men like Darryl with his years of experience are very hard to replace.
No doubt, when you get a new SM you will all do your best to help and support him or her till he or she finds their feet. Have one (or two) for me Darryl and have a long and happy retirement.
John Brown
Eyemouth Sector Manager
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 I have always had the greatest respect for Darryl. He has been the only Sector Manager I have known, and he sets a high standard to follow.
From the start he made it known that he was always available if required, with an open door policy on any issue. His good humour has always made him very approachable, and supportive at all times. He has a genuine concern for all coastguards in the sector, proven on many occasions.
He has always been able to get the best out of a team or individual by encouragement and putting them in challenging situations. His “cliff exercises with problems” were always a talking point with the team, and often had us scratching our heads for the best solution to a particular scenario, within the capabilities of ourselves and our equipment.
This has given the whole team confidence on the cliffs, as Darryl has coached us with humour as well as criticism, always maintaining a professional edge to the task in hand. Darryl has also promoted the social life of the Sector, with the “49ers” club helping to fund outings, and the Sector teams competing for the “Twisted Karabiner” trophy with inter-team challenges.
Charity campaigns have been organised on several occasions, Darryl to the forefront , with the various activities again bringing the teams together for rafting, cycling, hill walks and many other activities all donating money to very worthy causes chosen locally by the team members.
Darryl takes with him a wealth of experience, at sea and on the coast, which is becoming rarer to find in the Coastguard service as times change.
Wishing Darryl and his family all the best for his retirement, we’ll miss you – keep in touch.
Graham Mitchell
Stonehaven Depute Station Officer
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HARRY SIMPSON, the chairman of the safety panel of the Arbroath and Area Partnership, yesterday unveiled the first of a series of Coastwise information signs warning of the dangers of Arbroath cliffs.
Coastguard sector officer for the area Darryl White inaugurated the project and it has been progressed through the efforts of the partnership.
First safety sign unveiled at cliffs, The Courier, 3rd June 2005
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 My first recollection of Darryl was during the screening of the television series ‘Lifeboat’, which was filmed in and around the Humber, Darryl was a Watch Officer their at that time. He had to send a radio message to the ferry Norland who had just returned from the Falkland campaign.
I was a young keen Auxiliary Stationed at Leven and was most impressed by his truly professional manner on the radio.
Darryl after numerous postings eventually transferred to Montrose and I become a Watch Officer at Forth MRSC and then Granton Sector Manager where our professional paths crossed.
I have always found Darryl to be honest and up front with his views, I think it is true to say that he has always put his CROs first. He was a pioneering campaigner to get all CROs Immunised against Hep B.
He has never been shy in coming forward with his views even if he knows it is going to ruffle a few Senior Managers feathers, but at the same time showing solidarity to his colleagues.
On a personal note he was very supportive through my time of need with a willing ear to listen, for this I am very thankful for. There are very few Officers that you can truly say he will be missed by both the MCA and his CROs but he is one.
I wish Darryl and his family all the best for his well deserved retirement.
Joe Mitchell
Granton Sector Manager
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 When the Aberdeen Sector Officer was retiring he said "You don't want the Montrose Sector Officer, He is a DRAGON, he's hard on his teams and wares out the GEAR!"
For us the Stonehaven Team we were without a Sector Manager for 6months, and then we heard that we were to get the Montrose Sector Officer to take us for an exercise to keep up our training! Boy were we PETRIFIED, I think the whole team were going to call it a day, however we decided to give it a go as it was a one of exercise!!!!!
On arriving at Todd Head Lighthouse the Montrose team were already there. They were told to set up to the North of us, Both teams were to set up their gear and throw the mannequin over the cliff and retrieve him. Easy you would think! Well Montrose had done everything and were standing ready to go home whilst Stonehaven were standing scratching their heads wondering what to do! When the Tripod had fallen over for the 4th time Darryl told Montrose to retrieve our mannequin and then said "I know where to start........from scratch" And now we're the best team in the Sector
So many thanks Darryl, all the best for your retrial
P.S Darryl, our first and last exercise with you was at Todd Head Lighthouse.
Colin Moir
Stonehaven Station Officer
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 I have known Darryl from joining the coastguard in 2001.
From the very first meeting, I always felt that Darryl supported his team members in many ways; from taking those first few steps over the cliff on a line, to needing help and advice in something not related to the coastguard.
I wish Darryl all the best in his retirement.
Russell Moir
Gourdon Station Officer
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Here is a small note from Uncle Darryl.
I have been the Montrose Sector manager as both sector officer and then sector manager here in Montrose for over 20 years. Needless to say that has been the biggest part of my working life. Leaving the sector of 37 staff members trained in cliff, search, mud and flood rescue will be the hardest thing I have ever and will ever likely do.
I count every colleague a friend and most importantly a professional in the art of Maritime Coastal Rescue. We have all shared tense, scary, disappointments and joy during our service time.
The work of the modern CRO is widening almost daily, not only does the MCA expect you to turn out for training and incidents, but now it is a wider variety of incidents - looking more to backing up our colleagues in inland rescue work where ever it may be required.
You are now expected to participate in 'hands on' Public Relations work attempting to prevent the accident before it happens.
Your rescue equipment and procedures are changing to become more in standing with the latest cliff climbing techniques. Flood rescue work will become one of the areas where you will be required to work - your skills will be on show to the other emergency services.
In all these areas there will be no room for risk taking, these procedures must be fully Risk Assessed before committing yourselves to the work, always remember you can walk away it takes a very brave person to take that decision when lives are at risk. Finally remember that you are always the most important person on scene.
I wish you all the very best of luck with your new Manager I am sure he will fit into the work quite easily and with your support become a credit to Montrose Sector. I have known Ross since he joined HMCG in Aberdeen and I know that he is just the right man to take you into the next phase of Coastal Rescue.
All the very best to you. I'll miss you all dreadfully.
Darryl White
Montrose Sector Manager
from 26.10.87 to 1.4.08
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Darryl conducting his last monthly exercise
with Montrose and Gourdon Teams
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All members of the Montrose Sector Coastguard along with members of the public wish to thank you for your service and support and hope you enjoy as safe retrial.
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