Ryan reflects on his 20-year service at Montrose RNLI

Ryan joined the crew aged just 20, with no maritime background and working as a self-employed joiner. Encouraged by existing volunteers to give it a try, he signed up - a decision that would shape the next 20 years of his life.

Today, Ryan serves as Deputy Coxswain on the station’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat ‘Ian Grant Smith’, and as Helm on the D-class inshore lifeboat ‘Margaret Olive’. He passed out as ILB Helm in 2013 and as Coxswain in 2018.

Over the past two decades, Ryan has attended 134 service calls, spending 218 hours at sea on shouts. In that time, he has aided 64 people and helped save 3 lives.

Reflecting on his early days, Ryan said:

“I had absolutely no experience at sea when I joined. The crew supported me from day one and gave me the confidence to learn. The training and opportunities the RNLI provides are second to none.

“The RNLI is a charity, and everything we do is made possible by public donations and fundraising. That support from the community is what allows us to launch whenever we’re needed.”

One rescue in particular has stayed with him. A man had entered the water to save his young son and, after successfully getting the boy back to shore, was himself being swept out to sea. The lifeboat launched and brought him safely ashore.

“A few days later, the casualty’s wife Kerry got in touch to thank us and to let me know he’d made a full recovery,” Ryan said. “For several years afterwards, she would message on the anniversary of the shout to thank the crew again. It really brings home that what we do can stay with families for a long time. That rescue clearly meant as much to them as it did to us.”

Ryan has also experienced some of the most severe conditions the east coast can deliver. In November 2021, during Storm Arwen and under a red weather warning, the Montrose lifeboat launched to assist a vessel at risk of running aground at Lunan Bay. Battling hurricane-force winds and heavy seas, the crew worked in some of the worst conditions they had ever faced.

“It was an extremely challenging shout,” Ryan said. “The conditions were relentless, and our priority was preventing the vessel from running aground. Even once the immediate danger had passed, getting back into Montrose Harbour safely was a significant challenge in those sea states.”

The actions of the crews that day were later recognised with a Director of Lifesaving Operations Commendation, presented by Alan Stewart from the RNLI’s Perth Divisional Base.

Ryan also recalled another fond memory from his time with the station. In August 2015, he travelled to Poole to help collect Montrose’s new Shannon class lifeboat, Ian Grant Smith, from the RNLI’s Headquarters, setting off on 9 August, his 31st birthday.

The crew spent several days training on the lifeboat before beginning the passage north. The ‘Ian Grant Smith’ lifeboat would become the first Shannon-class lifeboat to go on service in Scotland. Ryan was among those who brought her from Poole to Scarborough before swapping with another crew for the onward journey to Montrose.

Later that same month, on 22 August 2015, Ryan and fellow crew members travelled to Anstruther to collect the relief Shannon class lifeboat RNLB Reg. For a period, Montrose had three lifeboats on station - RNLB ‘Moonbeam’, the new ‘Ian Grant Smith’ and the relief boat. Having two Shannon class lifeboats available provided valuable opportunities for crew members to accelerate their training and gain experience on the new class.

While the statistics and significant shouts stand out, Ryan says what he values most is supporting others.

“What I enjoy most now is sharing knowledge and helping trainees develop. Seeing someone grow in confidence, build their skills and progress through their training plans is incredibly rewarding.”

He acknowledges that the role can also be emotionally demanding.

“Not every shout has the outcome we hope for. We see people at their most vulnerable moments, and that can be tough. But the crew always come together. We support each other and show up for one another when it matters most.”

As he reflects on 20 years with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Ryan says he feels proud to continue serving his community.

“It’s a privilege to volunteer alongside such a dedicated crew. I’m grateful to everyone who’s supported me over the years - my family, my fellow crew and the community whose generosity keeps this charity saving lives at sea. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and I hope to continue volunteering for another 20 years.”

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.