Wreaths were laid to mark the 50th anniversary of the Broughty Ferry lifeboat disaster on 8 December.

Eight crew members lost their lives while going to the aid of the North Carr lightship off St Andrew’s Bay. They were Coxswain Ronald Grant (28), Second Coxswain George Smith (53), Bowman George Watson (38), Mechanic John Grieve (56), Assistant Mechanic James Ferrier (43), and Crew Members David Anderson (42), Alexander Gall (56) and John J Grieve (22).

The flag at the lifeboat station was lowered to half mast as family and friends of the lost crew, and the Lord Provost (on behalf of the city of Dundee), presented today’s lifeboat crew with the memorial wreaths to take out to sea.

George Anderson, David’s son, said: ‘This has been a fitting tribute to the crew of 1959. It has brought back many memories of that day and, as a 9-year-old, I remember the crowd gathered at the lifeboat shed.

‘The local branch has done a fitting job in organising the tributes to a very brave crew.’

Ken Miller, who was onboard the lightship that night, said: ‘You go through life thinking of these guys after that terrible night. It’s impregnated in your mind. It is very important to remember them.’