Buckie RNLI honors five volunteers with King’s Medals for their years of service. One new crew member joins team.
Davie Grant and four crew got King’s Medals, presented by Carlos Hamlet. These medals recognize their dedication and selfless lifesaving work at sea.
Davie Grant served the RNLI for thirty years. Mike Rennie, Graeme Gault, Gavin Hyne, and Stuart Mack also received medals for their service spanning from ten to twenty-two years.
Bruce Scott joined the crew and received his pager from Carlos Hamlet. He got his first call five days later.
Davie Grant became coxswain in 2021 and quickly faced a challenge. The Coastguard paged him after 72 hours because a yacht sent a Mayday call three miles from Lossiemouth.
Grant said his 30 years passed quickly. He saw a lot of changes, including better training for crews.
The RNLI has a training college in Poole with world-leading courses. The boats also changed a lot. He started with the Arun class Charles Brown. Now, they have the Severn-class William Blannin, which is much faster.
Grant said changes happen fast. New tech makes boating easier and safer. However, sailors still need to understand the sea because situations can change rapidly.
Grant wanted something more after leaving the Army. He went to a lifeboat training session. He now has a 30-year history with the RNLI.
He finds the work very satisfying and acknowledges both good and bad times. Saving people feels amazing. Grant recommends joining the crew, even without sea experience, because the RNLI training is excellent.
Grant is proud of his crew and has watched them develop. Gavin Hyne is now a coxswain and mechanic. Grant appreciates their dedication.
Anne Scott manages Buckie RNLI operations and praised the crew’s commitment. Volunteers make the RNLI’s mission possible: saving lives at sea.