Invergordon RNLI Mechanic steps down after 37 years’ service

Kevin, who joined the RNLI some thirty seven years ago and becoming the station mechanic in 1983, serving initially on the station’s Barnet class Lifeboat ‘James and Margaret Boyd’ moving onto the Brede class ‘Nottinghamshire’ then onto the Waveney class, ‘The White Rose of Yorkshire’ ending up with the present station all-weather Trent class Lifeboat ‘Douglas Aikman Smith’ where Kevin became acquainted with every millimetre of the boat over the years, which has been on station now for 25 years.

Kevin has seen many changes throughout the years not only in the capability of the Lifeboats he has worked on but the crew facilities, where the station was only a portacabin and oil drums doubled as crew seating. It is safe to safe this is no longer the case with the present station offering much more luxury.

Not only was Kevin the full time station mechanic, we was a man of many talents, one in the aspect of Fundraising, being the Chairman for a number of years of the Easter Ross Fundraising Branch which has included many station open days, lifeboat dances, which leads us onto his catering efforts which definitely require a mention, from station Bad Boys Bacon Roll Days, to Whisky Tasting to overnight endurance catering for the annual 24 hour mountain bike race The Strathpuffer raising funds for the RNLI and ending up on his wonderful and amazing soups he creates

Speaking on his retirement Kevin said “I would like to thank the RNLI for a wonderful 37years, it has been a pleasure to serve with the fabulous crew in Invergordon and make some great friends over my time at the station”

Invergordon Coxswain Andrew Murray said “On behalf of the Lifeboat Crew and myself we wish Kevin all the very best and a long and happy retirement after 37 years of dedicated service as Invergordon’s RNLI Lifeboat mechanic. Kevin has been a stalwart of the Station during this time and will be a hard act to follow not just as mechanic and crew member but also for his huge fundraising efforts for the Lifeboat Branch. It’s unfortunate that due to current circumstances that we cannot celebrate Kevin’s retirement in the way that he deserves but we will keep the champagne on ice until we can”

Community Manager Anne Scott said “Kevin will be a huge loss to the RNLI in Invergordon. As well as his role as full-time mechanic, his inspiration and hard work contributed greatly to the success of many fundraising events, such as Open Days and Bad Boy Days. Over the years these have raised thousands of pounds to support the lifesaving work of the volunteers of Invergordon lifeboat station. As a charity the RNLI relies on donations and the support of members of the public but without people like Kevin organising the events, we wouldn’t be able to raise the money or awareness of the invaluable work our brave crews do”

With so many memories over the years and strong figure of the station we wish Kevin a very happy retirement and wish him well on his next adventure

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 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.