Journey to RNLI helm is plain sailing for Jamie
THE commodore of Dunbar Sailing Club is celebrating after passing out as helm of the town’s RNLI inshore lifeboat.
Keen sailor Jamie Forrester has been helping keep people at sea safe for more than a decade after joining the RNLI crew 14 years ago.
The 47-year-old, a strategic planning and commissioning officer for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Living by the sea and being part of this community, I wanted to give something back – and in an area I was comfortable with.
“The lifeboat operations manager (LOM) at the time, David Lees, thought I would be a good addition so I signed up.”
Jamie’s first shout was to a couple on a yacht who had fallen seasick after sailing from Granton, Edinburgh.
He said: “A sailing club cruise had been due to leave for Denmark but weather conditions meant we had been delayed.
“We had gone for a curry in the local tandoori restaurant when the pagers went off – the food had just arrived!
“We had been told the yacht was off Bass Rock but, after we launched the all-weather lifeboat, we discovered it was closer to the Isle of May.
“We assessed and took the casualties off, and another crew member and I went on board their boat to take it into safe harbour, while Anstruther RNLI came out to assist.”
Jamie was put through his paces during an assessment that tested his knowledge and ability to deal with a number of challenging scenarios.
The dad-of-three – to RubySky, 19, Erin, 12, and eightyear-old Lochlan – is married to Laura, a senior countryside ranger, and joins fellow volunteers Alan Blair, Gordon Kirkham, Adrian Lavery and Chris Woods as inshore lifeboat (ILB) helms – the crew members in charge of the boat.
Jamie said: “I’ve always enjoyed being an active crew member and engaging with casualties but was keen to train up as a helm so I can bring that frontline experience to a command role.”
Ian Wilson, current LOM, congratulated Jamie on his success.
He said: “I am delighted, as is everyone in the crew, with the news that Jamie is now authorised to take command of our inshore lifeboat.
“He has worked hard for it and will continue to be an asset to the station.
“The timing is particularly beneficial as we approach our busiest time of the year.
“Well done, Jamie!”