Lifeboat Press Officer,
Douglas Lifeboat Station
How did you first get involved with the RNLI?
I’m a hobby wildlife photographer, and my son was on the crew as deputy second coxswain. The press officer left at the end of 2011 and the coxswain said to my son: ‘Your dad takes a reasonable picture. How does he fancy the job?’ I thought: ‘What the heck, I’ll give it a go!’
What’s the best thing about your volunteer role?
It gets me out and about, mixing with people. And I’ve had a good life, so it’s an opportunity to give a little bit back.
Any standout moments in your RNLI career?
One big thing was the last slipway launch of the Tyne class lifeboat Sir William Hillary in January 2017. We decided to make a bit of a celebration of it. In the 1930s they got all the island’s lifeboats into Douglas for a photograph. We recreated the picture with our boat on the slip and Ramsey, Peel and Port St Mary alongside. The turnout was absolutely amazing.
What would you say to someone thinking about signing up to be a volunteer?
Don’t think about it, just do it. I’m a great fan of Dame Ellen McArthur and an expression she once used comes to mind: ‘A donf.’ It’s French shipyard slang for ‘go for it’!
What is special about Douglas?
We’ve had a lifeboat in Douglas since 1802. The RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary, was on the crew. Douglas is the spiritual home of the RNLI. Our station was the first and we’re quite proud of that.
Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard