Emergency services / ‘Genuine honour’ for Nathan as Aith lifeboat gets new coxswain
THE NEW coxswain of the Aith lifeboat station says it is a “genuine honour” to take on the role.
Nathan Mann, 30, has ten-plus years of lifesaving experience having previously been part of the volunteer Lerwick RNLI crew.
Having already passed his RNLI mechanic training in Lerwick, Mann is now on course to qualify as a fully passed-out coxswain before Christmas.
Prior to his formal appointment at Britain’s most northerly lifeboat station, Mann was already stepping up to support Aith’s operations, covering shifts when station staff were away from base.
Before committing himself to the RNLI full-time he was working as a deckhand for Blueshell Mussels.
His involvement in notable rescues to date includes the dramatic and lengthy operation in 2023 to tow the broken-down fishing vessel Westbank safely to harbour from 60 miles east of the isles – all in the face of a force 10 storm.
Deepening his connection to Aith is Mann’s upcoming marriage into one of the station’s most stalwart supportive families.
His fiancée, Laurie, is the daughter of longstanding volunteer Kevin Henry, a former Aith lifeboat mechanic who continues to serve as a deputy launch assistant during call-outs.
Nathan, Laurie and their three bairns – Bella (9), Luca (7) and Elsea (1) – plan to relocate to Aith at the earliest opportunity.
“With some strong family ties to the Aith station, it is a genuine honour to be appointed as its coxswain,” he said.
“Having had several weeks of orientation training, I’m really enjoying working with a crew of committed and experienced volunteers – who all do what needs to be done to help save lives at sea.
“A huge part of the job is also our community relations – for fundraising, and for safety awareness – and I look forward to meeting lots of folk in the coming weeks, months and years ahead.”
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