RNLI Peterhead’s longest serving crew member Patrick Davidson passes out
Peterhead Lifeboat’s longest serving volunteer crew member Patrick Davidson is adding to his long list of lifeboat skills and expertise as he passes out as Coxswain.
Patrick, who has been a volunteer at Peterhead Lifeboat for 23 years and received a long service medal, completed his assessments last night and has now qualified as an All Weather Lifeboat Coxswain, following months of training and hard work, made more difficult due to the restrictions and regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Patrick has dedicated hundreds of hours of his free-time to saving lives at sea, and he can now take charge of Peterhead’s All Weather Lifeboat The Misses Robertson of Kintail.
He said: “I’m delighted to have passed out and qualified as a coxswain.
“It sometimes only feels like yesterday when I joined all those years ago, until I look at the old photos in the station where I’m reminded that I used to have hair.
“Joking aside, all those years back I had a desire to get involved in the emergency services to try and do some good, and perhaps get the chance one day to save a life, along with the adrenaline of never knowing what you are getting called out to when the pager sounds.
“I’d like to thank the RNLI and everyone at Peterhead Station for their support, help and input, as well as the RNLI Staff Coxswains who have given me guidance over the last few months. I’m chuffed to bits!”
Jurgen Wahle, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “I’d like to say a massive congratulations to Pat for passing out, it’s a culmination of a lot of hard work and is thoroughly deserved.
“It’s a great way to end the year. 2020 has been difficult for everyone, but the hard work and commitment of the crew and everyone involved in the Station has been second to none.”
He continued: “Our crews train extensively to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be a member of the Lifeboat crew which means making a huge personal effort to give up their free time as volunteers. Pat should be very proud – all of us at the station are!”
RNLI Volunteer Crew members remain on call 365 days of the year, even in the current pandemic, to man the coasts and waters. This has meant adapting quickly to align with Government guidelines while ensuring they are still ready to respond when the pager sounds.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Peterhead lifeboat station been operating since 1865. The current Peterhead Lifeboat Station, the third built, was opened in 1999 and is staffed by one full-time RNLI employee.
- The Lifeboat, a Tamar class RNLB Misses Robertson of Kintail, is berthed approximately 100 metres away.
- To learn more about the station, go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/peterhead-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Stacey Lynch, Peterhead Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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