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Kirkwall RNLI deputy coxswain receives unexpected award
Originally serving on the Longhope RNLI lifeboat, Kirkwall man, Alistair Cameron has volunteered for the RNLI for around two decades. His career in the maritime sector has been a lifetime commitment.
He joined the Royal Navy at the age of sixteen and, following his basic training he joined the Mine Warfare team (MW). Serving on Ton Class Minesweepers/Minehunters took him out to places like the Red Sea and Suez Canal, where, in 1984, he was part of a Task Group investigating and clearing any mine threats.
In 1988 Alistair left the Royal Navy but after a short time ashore he was back out at sea. He joined the local coastal shipping company, Dennison Shipping, and Shetland based Hay and Co, which saw him carrying out voyages around the UK and Europe.
His following maritime career took him to Orkney Ferries, as a Master on the Hoy Head, Thorsvoe and Earl Thorfinn. A career change to offshore work meant travel to further shores on various offshore vessels, mainly undertaking subsea cable laying, including far flung places, such as the Philippines and Vietnam.
Alistair now works as a self-employed marine consultant undertaking vessel projects and carrying out vessel audits/inspections for maritime companies.The seed for his RNLI commitment did not just grow from his maritime experience, the seed was sown earlier in life. While undertaking his Duke of Edinburgh Award in secondary school, he focussed his community section on RNLB Grace Paterson Ritchie, the Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat in service from 1968-1988.
From 1993 to 2002, Alistair served as crew and deputy second coxswain on two Longhope RNLI lifeboats, Alistair’s wife, Audrey, is from Hoy, where they lived at this time. His first service was on RNLB Lord Saltoun (Tyne class) and then on RNLB Sir Max Aitken II (Arun class). RNLB Lord Saltoun was still being launched from the Station House at Brims down the slipway. The arrival of RNLB Sir Max Aitken II coincided with the lifeboat being berthed at the pier in Longhope.
In 2016, Alistair joined the crew on the Kirkwall RNLI lifeboat after other commitments had taken him away from volunteering. He was one of the first people to be trained in the resilience coxswain-mechanic role. The role involved coxswain/mechanic cover locally and at stations further away as required. During this period Alistair covered for Islay, Wick, Aith, Lerwick, Aberdeen, Stornoway and Mallaig RNLI Lifeboat Stations.
Alistair is currently a volunteer deputy coxswain for the Kirkwall lifeboat, he has taken on further roles as a trainer assessor and lifeboat training coordinator, which he has done for a number of years. He enjoys training new crew members and seeing them progress within their RNLI roles.
Brian Kynoch (Lifeboat Operation Manager) presented an Excellence in Volunteering Certificate to Alistair Cameron this autumn. The nominator/s are anonymous.
Alistair said, ‘I am grateful to receive this very unexpected award for volunteering. However, as crew we are only able to carry out our volunteering due to the fantastic support we receive from our families, local guilds and the continuous generous support of the public at home and beyond. It really is very much appreciated.’
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Erica Niven, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Kirkwall, [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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.