RNLI Peterhead crew member David Weir passes out as Coxswain
Peterhead RNLI is celebrating this week as crew member David Weir passed out as Coxswain following months of rigorous training and hard work.
David, who has been a volunteer crew member with Peterhead Lifeboat for 11 years, completed his assessments to qualify as an RNLI All weather Lifeboat Coxswain.
David initially joined the lifeboat in 2009 and has dedicated hundreds of hours of his free-time to saving lives at sea, along with the rest of the crew who rush to the station when the pager sounds. From initially enrolling as a crew member, David has progressed and built on his skills and knowledge through various roles on the Peterhead Lifeboat including navigator and mechanics positions.
He said: “This role comes with a huge responsibility to which I would like to thank the RNLI, station and crew for their support in the months leading up to my passout.”
Jurgen Wahle, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said this achievement is testament to David’s hard work and dedication, as well as a great milestone for Peterhead Lifeboat Station.
He continued: “Our crews train extensively to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be a member of the Lifeboat crew.
“This means giving time and dedication to meet the requirements and while David not only gives up his free time as a volunteer crew member, this fantastic accomplishment is also a culmination of intensive and continual assessment, as well as a dedicated personal effort.
“David 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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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.