New lifeboat coxswain Davie is safe pair of hands at the helm
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THERE is a new pair of hands at the wheel of Buckie's RNLI lifeboat in what has been a time of change locally for the life-saving charity.
A new era has been ushered in by Davie Grant (47), who assumes the reins of coxswain/mechanic from Alan Robertson (46), as he brings the curtain down on 15 years in the role.
For Mr Grant it is the culmination of 26 years' service with the RNLI, first as a crewmember then moving up to second mechanic. The former Moray Council bus driver first signed up after returning from serving in the Army and was on the lookout for something worthwhile to do in his spare time, leading a friend to recommend the RNLI.
Looking ahead to the opportunities of taking on the coxswain's post, Mr Grant said: "It's both exciting and nerve-racking.
"To be honest the coxswain/mechanic role was something that for years I avoided. However, after Alan left and looking at the dynamics of the station I though to myself 'I'm going to go for it.'
"The rest, as they say, is history."
However, assuming the coxswain's mantle in a time of global pandemic has brought with it unique challenges for Mr Grant and the volunteer crew, not least as their twice-weekly training meetings have been axed as part of the lockdown regulations.
"One of the biggest ongoing challenges is keeping the crew informed, especially as the station is closed except for ops," he continued.
"Even then, when we come back from a service the crew leave the station as soon as the boat as been cleaned up and our gear put away.
"Modern technology has been a huge help in trying to overcome this. We've been using Microsoft team for online training sessions and the RNLI's Horizon system has been great for e-learning.
"As for the crew themselves, I can't fault them in the slightest, they've really kept on top of things despite everything that's been going on with the coronavirus pandemic. We've had two pages [callouts] since the lockdown and both the turnout and response times have been phenomenal.
"There've been more crew turning up than needed and you can see the disappointment on the faces of those we've had to leave behind.
"They're all keen to get back to our normal training sessions as soon as possible, it's something they ask every time we meet up online. We've a bit to catch up on after the lockdown ends.
"I'm very proud of them indeed."
Mr Grant's first callout in his full-time role came on July 2 in answer to reports of a person in difficulties in the water near Findochty Harbour.
He went on to praise the contributions and legacy of his predecessor.
"This is just the start of a long road for me.
"Alan has left a massive pair of boots for me to fill and has left the station in a very good place. There's been a lot of hard work done with what is a very young crew. It speaks volumes that we already have multiple coxswain and mechanic deputies.
"I'm looking to carry on all of Alan's good work."
Mr Robertson, who joined the Buckie crew as a 17-year-old, is currently enjoying his new full-time role with the RNLI as a fleet staff coxswain, which most recently has seen him helping out at Peterhead RNLI lifeboat station.
He said: "I'm delighted that Davie has got the coxswain/mechanic role at Buckie, it is thoroughly deserved.
"I've worked with him for a lot of years and he will be a major asset for Buckie RNLI lifeboat station.
"I loved my time at Buckie but I felt that I'd done what I'd wanted to do and got the station where I wanted it. It was time for me to move on to a new challenge.
"I miss the Buckie crew but it's also good to meet new crews in different places. At Peterhead I've also had the opportunity to work with a different type of lifeboat, the Tamar class all-weather vessel.
"The lockdown, though, has made it all a surreal experience."
Mr Robertson is one of a small team of staff coxswains currently employed by the RNLI in the UK and Ireland.
To find out more about the work of Buckie RNLI lifeboat station, follow them on Facebook or visit their website at www.buckielifeboat.co.uk
Click here for more local news.
