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Portree RNLI crew celebrates strong relationship with employers
As volunteers of the RNLI, the crew of the Portree lifeboat Peter and Mary 13-59 need to be ready to drop everything and run to the station, in the event of a request to launch – including during normal working hours.
It’s recognised that strong, supportive relationships with employers allows the Portree crew to respond to pagers, which can sound 24 hours a day, in order to carry out their lifesaving duties.
Josh Masson, from Portree, first joined the RNLI crew in February 2021 and passed out as a Mechanic in 2024.
By day, Josh is the Vessel Superintendent at Trident Aqua Services – a global maritime aqua service group with over 60 vessels and around 1,000 employees.
Josh said:
‘Since I first joined the volunteer crew in 2021, I knew that I wanted to train to be a station Mechanic. I really enjoy being part of Portree RNLI and I like being able to give something back to the community and to the island.
‘The support of our employers, Trident Aqua Services in my case, means that we can balance work and RNLI duties to suit training dates, important RNLI activities and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to respond quickly to the pager sounding.
‘Their continued support for Portree RNLI is greatly appreciated by all the volunteers at the station, which helps us to continue our important work of the lifesaving charity that I am proud to be a part of.’
Dean Johnson, Trident Aqua Services Managing Director UK, said:
‘Trident Aqua Services UK are pleased to support Josh as a volunteer at Portree RNLI and the wider station, especially at such an exciting time with the arrival of their new Shannon class lifeboat, Peter and Mary 13-59.
‘As operators of a fleet of vessels within the aquaculture industry, we understand the vital role the RNLI plays in keeping those working and living around our coastal waters safe.
‘We are proud to support RNLI Portree and the dedicated volunteers who provide this essential service.’
The Shannon class vessel, RNLB Peter and Mary 13-59, took over the title of Portree Lifeboat on 1 June 2026. She was officially named on Saturday 3 October 2026 with Portree RNLI volunteers, fundraisers, RNLI regional representatives, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, invited guests, and members of the local community all in attendance.
The RNLI charity has been saving lives at sea for over two hundred years. It relies on donations and support from the public to operate the lifesaving service that it does.
There are over 5,700 volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew members at 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, with a further 4,000 volunteer shore crew members. Our volunteers are on call and ready to respond to calls for help 24 hrs a day, 365 days of the year.
ENDS
Notes to editors
· All photos in this press release should be credited to RNLI/Robert MacInnes, apart from the photo of the vessel Inter Alba which should be credited to Trident Aqua Services.
· Read more about the official naming ceremony held on 3 October 2026: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/october/07/new-portree-rnli-lifeboat-officially-named-in-ceremony
· For further information about Trident Aqua Services: https://tridentaquaservices.com/
· Portree Lifeboat Station was established in 1991. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/portree-lifeboat-station
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Robert MacInnes, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI: 07950 421829 / [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.