Medic takes on ‘vital’ role at Arran RNLI

The volunteer role of LOM is vital to the organisation as it ensures a constant state of operational readiness to respond to emergencies.

Graeme is taking over from Lee Girbow, who is stepping down after many years of service with the Arran RNLI.

Graeme, who lives in Brodick, is particularly well suited for the position and brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role, having worked with all the emergency services on Arran.

Although he started his career as a project manager in IT and telecoms, managing infrastructure and service projects for a range of blue-chip companies in the banking and pharmaceutical sectors, he later retrained as a paramedic to work with the ambulance service.

He said: “My family came from a fishing village on the east coast of Scotland where the lifeboat was an integral part of the daily life.

“From a very young age I was aware of the amazing work that the RNLI does.

“When we moved to Arran a few years ago, one of my ambitions was to get involved with the RNLI, so when the opportunity to take on the lifeboat operations manager role came up I jumped at the chance.

“Everyone at RNLI Arran has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and I am very proud to be part of this fantastic team.”

As well as overseeing the day-to-day management of the station, Graeme’s responsibilities as LOM include authorising the launch of the station’s B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rachel Hedderwick.

He also leads the team of volunteers who provide a 24-hour search and rescue service and keep the station running smoothly.

Away from work, Graeme, who is married with two grown-up children, is a keen motorcyclist. Passionate about motor sport, he has competed in rallying and is now an event organiser and medic.

Arran RNLI welcomed Graeme to the fold and thanked Lee Girbow for his commitment to the charity, saying: “All the crew at Arran RNLI extends their heartfelt thanks to Lee for his dedicated leadership and commitment.”

The Arran lifeboat station has been operating since 1970 and is one of 238 lifeboat stations in the UK.

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 146,000 lives.