Cammy starts as new Station Technician for RNLI Lerwick

Originally from Stornoway, Cammy was a member of the Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team, and has worked previously for CalMac Ferries in a shorebased role. He trained as a Police Officer, based initially in Stornoway before he transferred to Lerwick.

In November 2025, Cammy joined Lerwick Lifeboat as one of the volunteer crew, and has taken part in regular training and callouts since. He successfully applied for the full-time role as Station Technician and started in the role in late July this year.

Cammy is now based full-time at Lerwick Lifeboat Station, working alongside Coxswain Stephen Manson. Together, they ensure that the volunteer crew and Severn-class All-Weather Lifeboat maintain operational readiness.

The role as ‘technician’, previously known as mechanic, now recognises that lifeboats have electrical, navigation and other technical systems. Cammy will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and repairs on the lifeboat, as well as many items of search and rescue equipment, such as lifejackets and search lights. Cammy will be supported by specialist RNLI technicians when necessary.

Cammy passed his Tier 2 competency assessment last week, with fellow crew member Ryan Leith. Both are now fully trained members of the lifeboat crew, having completed a structured training programme over recent months, and passed a series of theory and practical assessments, ashore and afloat.

Every launch requires a mechanic to be present among the crew, and the full-time station technician will fulfill this role when necessary Other volunteer crew have also completed ‘afloat mechanic’ training, to be able to monitor the engine and systems, and to keep the lifeboat operational during a callout.

Cammy will spend next week at the RNLI College in Poole in Dorset, completing a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (‘MCA’) approved training course on marine diesel engines. He’ll complete other specialist courses, alongside regular on-station training in the coming months, before sitting an RNLI technical assessment next year.

John Angus, Lifeboat Operations Manager at RNLI Lerwick, said: “We’re delighted to have Cammy join us as our Station Technician. It’s a role that is vital to the running of the station – supporting our volunteer crew and ensuring that the lifeboat is always ready for service.

“The cost of Cammy’s training – and those of all our crew – are paid for entirely by donations, fundraising and legacies, and we’re grateful to all those who continue to support the RNLI to help us save lives at sea.”

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

• Bob Kerr, Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Lerwick - [email protected]
• Richard Smith, 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]

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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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