Plain Sailing as Jamie Becomes Latest Dunbar Lifeboat Helm

Jamie, 47, a volunteer on the crew for 14 years, was put through his paces during an assessment that tested his knowledge and ability to deal with a number of challenging scenarios.

A keen sailor, he is the current commodore for Dunbar Sailing Club, and it was that maritime background that first attracted him to the crew. Jamie, 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’d be a good addition so I signed up.’

Jamie’s first shout was to a couple on a yacht who’d 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’d 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 in to safe harbour, while Anstruther RNLI came out to assist. The shout was also notable as it was the first as coxswain for then crew member Jamie Lamb, who is now with Dunbar Fire and Rescue.’

The dad-of-three – to Ruby-Sky, 19, Erin, 12, and eight-year-old Lochlan – is married to Laura, a senior countryside ranger, and joins fellow volunteers Alan Blair and 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.’

Current LOM Ian Wilson 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!’

Notes to editors

Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth. Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.

It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.

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