It would seem only fitting that on his last day in charge of the Glasgow Humane Society motorboat, George Parsonage would be ushered into action.

At the age of 75, George has dedicated his life to saving others on the River Clyde – whether that be through emergency rescues or improving safety and awareness of the water’s dangers.

But despite the toll that comes from a lifetime of hard graft on the river, there remains only one response when an emergency call rings his phone.

Our reporter had only just made it to the front gate of the Glasgow Humane Society House, on the banks of the Clyde at Glasgow Green, when George raced out towards his lifeboat, politely and hastily excusing himself from the pre-planned interview.

The veteran lifesaver was joined by William Graham – who is due to take over from George in the running of the society today – firing on the flashing lights and sirens as they ripple through the waters towards yet another emergency.

“You have to realise all rivers are dangerous, some more than others,” George explains.

“I don’t know any other form of life. I was born right here and I’ve been helping for nearly 70 years on the river.

“When you’re born in a lifeboat station there is no other way of life.

“You can’t sit here and watch your dad risk his life without doing something. You have to go and help.

“It could be easy to look back and look for regrets but I really don’t have any.”

READ MORE: Down by the water with Glasgow's river rescuer George Parsonage

George, who has earned numerous awards including an MBE for his work, says the society is a family unit – where he is joined by his wife Stephanie, 60 and two sons; 24-year-old Benjamin and Christopher, 21.

"It's nice my sons are taking a great interest in the Humane Society," George added.

"All I ever said to them was wherever you are in this world, take time to do something to help others.

"Take time to do a wee bit of good, and I think that’s a good move.

"I’m a lucky man they’re taking an interest in the river. "

George is now taking a step back from some responsibilities with the society.

His age means that, as of today, he can no-longer have insurance to use the motor lifeboat.

Instead, he will take on a more advisory role – sharing his teachings with William Graham and raising awareness through council safety groups.

It's thought that, much like his father, George has rescued well over 1500 people during his career.

On the change of role, the river man said: “There isn’t a problem, I’m quite happy to sit back and advise.

“I’m sure William will manage perfectly well on his own.

“One of the things in my father’s time was he didn’t get the chance to write down as much as he could have.

“For the last 40 or 50 years, when an incident occurs I write down what happened and why I did what I did during it - that is teaching for the future.

“So William sits at night and reads what I’ve written. It’s about learning from the past. I’m leaving something for people to learn from.

“He can still come and get whatever advice he wants from me. He might not need the advice, he’s learning fast and knows what he’s doing.”

George admitted that it will be “a big change”, but said he’s not down-heartened by the move.

“In fact, I’m up beat in the fact that I’ll be 76 in a couple of weeks time and still able to give advice.

“There’s a lot of people at my age unable to be in that position so I’m a lucky man.

“All that matters is the society has to be here, even if it’s just advising."

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The society was set up in the city in 1790 with the aim of rescuing people and the recovery of bodies from the Clyde, as well as improving safety and the prevention of accidents.

George’s father, Ben, took over at the society in 1918 with George himself running things following his death in 1979.

“My father died in the morning and by lunchtime the CID had phoned about an accident in the river. I just went, that was it,” he explained.

“It’s been difficult at times but it’s been a very enjoyable life helping other people.

“It’s nice to be able to help other people. It’s an honour.

“Not many people get the chance of doing that – like following someone like my dad, such a wonderful person.

“Not many people get the chance of helping their fellow man in the way we do.

“My father was always very proud that he rescued two or three times more than he took out dead and I think that is a wonderful thing to be able to say. He was my hero.”

George has a lifetime of memories on mixed memories on the water; from saving the woman who would later become his wife, to tragic recoveries of bodies.

He said: “My father would say ‘the River Clyde was a very good friend, but could be a very bad enemy’.

“You have to respect it, watch it and be so careful.

“It can be cruel, but I have had great times on it."