Volunteer crew, operations team and fundraisers at Aberdeen RNLI are proud to announce that James Buckley has passed out as the station’s newest helm. James has been a dedicated volunteer with the RNLI for six years.
James’s connection to the sea and lifeboats began in his childhood, spending summers in Whitehills and Banff with family. “I used to visit Whitehills for six weeks every summer, and seeing the boats at the local shows always sparked my interest,” James shared. “When the opportunity to volunteer came along, it felt like the right challenge to take on.”
Over the years, James has served as part of the crew on both the all-weather lifeboat and the inshore lifeboat, and has found great satisfaction in developing his skills and helping others. Now, as helm, he’s excited to take on more responsibility while mentoring newer members of the crew. “It felt like a natural progression after spending several years with a fantastic crew here in Aberdeen,” he added.
Outside of the lifeboat station, James works as a Technical Consultant in cyber and information security. Balancing professional, family and volunteer commitments is no small task, but his wife and children are incredibly supportive. “They understand that I’m giving up family time to help others when they need it most, and I think they’re proud of me for it,” James said.
Despite stepping into a leadership role, James is quick to share the credit. “This is a team effort,” he emphasised. “Everyone at the station has helped me achieve this new role. It’s not just down to one person – it’s the result of the whole team working together. I’m grateful to everyone who’s been part of my journey to becoming helm.”
A helm refers to the individual who commands a RNLI inshore lifeboat, like Aberdeen’s – Buoy Woody 85N. The helm is responsible for the safety of the crew and the successful navigation of the vessel during rescues.
Aberdeen RNLI has a long history of service in the city, with volunteers providing a 24-hour search and rescue service, 365 days a year. The charity operates independently of the Coastguard and government, relying on voluntary donations and legacies to sustain its operations.
Aberdeen RNLI is also holding its annual Flag Day fundraising collection in the city centre, tomorrow, Saturday 14th.
