A COMMUNITY stalwart has helped to shape the hearts and minds of hundreds of young people in Inverclyde at the helm of a local youth organisation.

Lieutenant Commander Jim Hearl has been involved with Greenock and District Sea Cadets Corps, man and boy, since he joined the organisation more than 50 years ago.

He has held several senior roles over the years and become synonymous with the institution.

Mr Hearl is fiercely proud of the corps, which is called T.S Tidesurge, and is recognised as one of the top sea cadets corps nationally.

Greenock Telegraph:

Jim, 63, said: "I was advised to join an organisation, as at the time there were gangs running about the streets.

"I tried a few, including the scouts but I didn't like it so I came here and it just stuck with me.

"I've always enjoyed messing about on the water and watching the boats sailing up and down the river."

Jim is proud to report that the group is still going strong, as there are 42 members at the moment. The junior section is open to 10-12-year-olds and they wear a uniform of sweatshirts and baseball caps.

The seniors aged 12-18 wear naval uniform and there are also adult volunteers aged 18 and upwards.

Jim says his role in the corps has been very rewarding and he says he still meets former sea cadets who now have children of their own.

Jim said: "The best thing is seeing a kid coming in to join us at a young age with issues, maybe just shyness and not being able to mix with people, Then we see them develop to become a responsible adult with leadership qualities and in later life, a career. Some of them go into the Royal Navy, others the Merchant Navy and some join the army.

"They all learn a variety of skills, from catering to first aid and seamanship, marine and communications, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, doing expeditions, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and power boating.

"We teach them life skills."

Jim says the sea cadets is very much a family and is a place where people belong.

He said: "From the minute you walk through the door as a new recruit, you are part of the family.

"You can make friends in corps all over the world and technology makes it easier to do that now."

As well as making friends it has proved a good career move for many former cadets and the organisations they join.

Jim said: "A cadet is a good investment for an employer. It is a disciplined organisation with its training based on the standards of the Royal Navy but we offer a fun aspect to the discipline.

"We have had our successes here, we've had captains and engineers and a captain with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary."

Jim is Greenock born and bred and lived in Jamaica Street before his family moved to the new houses in Branchton when he was eight.

He attended East Shaw Street and Captain Street schools and then St Patrick's Primary, St Andrew's and St Columba's High at Bayhill.

Jim is married to Sandra and they have two children, James and Pamela, and four grandchildren - Sophie, Dillon, Blake and Cole.

Many family members have followed in his footsteps with the cadets. Son James, 39, is a first lieutenant and has been going along to the sea cadets with his dad since he could walk, while Pamela was also previously a cadet.

Jim's granddaughter Sophie is also a rising star in the corps and in 2022 she was presented with a certificate of Meritorious Service from Colonel Peter McCarthy, the Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrewshire. She hopes to join the Merchant Navy.

Jim's grandson Blake, 13, has completed a catering course and is now cooking at home.

Mr Hearl said: "It has given him a focus and he is now making dinner for himself and when his friends come round."

Jim has held down various occupations but the sea cadets have been the one constant throughout his life.

He worked as a plater in Cartsburn Shipyard from 1976 to 1983 and then he joined the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service.

Jim said: "I love boats and the opportunity came up so I left the yards. The writing was on the wall as the shipyards started to close and there were redundancies through the whole of the Clyde and it was time for a change."

Sadly ill-health forced Jim to retire early from a career he loved.

He has high hopes for the cadets this year and hopes to help more young people to go out and make a life for themselves in the world.

Jim said: "I've dealt with hundreds of kids over the years and I've met a lot of nice young people and if we have given them a head start in life, then we have done our job."