OIC staff going above and beyond – Graham Campbell – Pier Master, RNLI volunteer and charity fundraiser

As a young boy, Graham Campbell would stand and watch the boats of varying shapes and sizes come and go from Kirkwall pier; wet, salty air filling his lungs, giving him a lifelong love and respect for the sea.

He watched in awe when the lifeboat was launched, listening in as his elders spoke of those in distress. Despite his youth, Graham knew then that he would like to be one of those brave volunteers heading out to sea to try and help those in peril.

Not only did Graham fulfil his aspiration, but he also forged out a career from himself as a Pier Master with the OIC’s Marine Services, based mainly on that same pier which created so many special childhood memories.

As we welcome in a new year, we are continuing our series focusing on staff who go above and beyond not just in their day job, but within the communities they live.

We are kicking off 2022 with Graham, a volunteer lifeboat crew member and a talented photographer which has led to local charity fundraisers topping £10,000 to date.

“Lifeboating has been a huge part of my life for nearly 27 years now and it means a great deal to me. I get great satisfaction from being part of a fantastic team and am greatly proud to serve our local community here in Kirkwall and Orkney. I feel so lucky sometimes as the RNLI is widely recognised as being the best lifesaving organisation in the world.”

Graham joined the RNLI as a trainee crew member in 1995. Soon after he became emergency mechanic, followed a few years later by being made 2nd/mechanic a role which he still holds today. He is also Lifeboat press officer and assists with fundraising.

The role comes with the tremendous high of a successful rescue to despair when lives are lost.

Graham and the crew of the Kirkwall Lifeboat were awarded Vellum service certificates at a RNLI Awards ceremony in Perth in recent years after saving the lives of three crew onboard a yacht in difficulty off Stronsay in storm force 10 winds. You can read of the dramatic rescue here: www.sail-world.com/66157

Graham said: “We were out all night and one of our own lifeboat crew was injured when the lifeboat fell heavily from some huge waves; he had to be airlifted to hospital during the rescue. We diverted to Stronsay where a member of the public, a local fisherman, joined us and we completed the rescue in very poor conditions saving the yacht and crew.”

There have also been tragic outcomes.

“I've attended some very sad callouts which have resulted in the loss of lives and some local boats over the years. I have also been on scene at three separate helicopter ditchings - two of which had fatalities, and these are memorable for the wrong reasons unfortunately.”

So, why do folk volunteer, risking their own lives for others?

“I will share a quote from the late Stephen Manson's Kirkwall Lifeboat book and I totally agree with these words: ‘I believe that although there is undoubtedly excitement and adventure, service is mostly about comradeship and the real desire to help others who are in danger’.”

Graham continued: “Orkney is, as you know surrounded by the sea and there is only one parish (Harray) which doesn't border the open sea water, I doubt if there are many families or people living on Orkney that don't have or know someone that are either working at sea or have been connected in some way. We all travel by sea at some point to get either on or off the island or we have leisure activities in or around the sea. So, I think we are all connected to the sea in some sort of way making us all realise that if anything does happen or go wrong then who do we call upon to help, perhaps this is why the RNLI is so hugely appreciated and supported here in the isles.”

Even when on duty as Pier Master, Graham carries his lifeboat pager with him and attends the shouts if he can.

“I have also been very lucky to have provided relief cover at 13 other RNLI stations all over Scotland during my career and have made some lifelong friends.”

Graham has used another passion in his life – photography – to raise funds for the RNLI – which is often referred to as the fourth emergency service and entirely funded through donations.

He is often asked if he ever sleeps as he seems to be forever in the right place at the right time to capture some incredible images – from the incredible aurora to pods of orcas, a couple of pier-friendly otters to an array of other wildlife, not just in Orkney but further afield.

His interest stemmed from school, developing old film rolls in the dark room.

“I bought new Canon cameras (35mm) over the years but when digital became the new thing it really took over. I still have all Canon camera and lenses as they are my favourites. I have various lenses for wildlife, night-time and general photography.

“I really like the wildlife photography as there is so much around in Orkney, from owls, otters and orcas. I really like the orcas and could photograph them all day, they are such amazing creatures when you get up close and hear them blow, I've watched them hunt seals and share them around the pod. Night-time photography is also a favourite with the auroas during winter, and of course the sunrises and sunsets we see all year round.

“I managed to hold off from purchasing a drone until lockdown, as we weren't holidaying and such like I thought I'd treat myself and bought the Mavic air2 which is great to fly and some of the photos and videos I get from it are just great. I travel quite a lot in my spare time and spend lots of time out and about, some of my favourite places are in Orkney around the coast and up in Shetland where I head to quite often.

“I have a wee mini campervan which was named Dolly after my late Granny for a wee bit of fun, it's just great for my wee photography trips to the isles and Shetland, and I am planning the Outer Hebrides in it this year.

“Some folk ask me if I ever sleep. It's a case of getting out and about and some days/nights I get lucky but there are times that I come back empty handed. I do have lots of time off due to shift work so this helps and also I get wee tips from folk if there are any whales or such like around.”

Graham decided to put his photography skills to good use and fundraise by producing and selling calendars containing a selection of his images.

“I was only ever really going to do one fundraising calendar when my late Mum was receiving treatment in Macmillan with cancer, I wanted to give them something back as the staff were totally amazing towards her and us. The calendar proved so popular and took off from there so each year I try to raise some funds for various different local charities. The calendars have raised £10,000 which have been split between these local charities: Macmillan, RNLI, Fishermen's Mission, Clan, Kirkwall City Pipe Band, Orkney Kidney patient Association, Orkney MS Therapy Centre, (CRY) Freya Rose Memorial Fund, Salvation Army and St Rognvald House activity fund for the elderly.”

Graham’s role as Pier Master since 2016 and shift working has led to some spectacular shots over the years.

“A camera is never far from my hand as I have a few always sitting in my car or in my bag at work so anything that moves seems to get photographed. We have a couple otters that cross over the pier most nights during night shift, and I watch them make their way from the marina over to the Peedie Sea for some food and fresh water which they require for their fur coats to keep them in good condition. We also do watch some amazing sunsets and sunrises from the harbour as we do day shift and night shift, with the boats and the marina as backgrounds this can make for some spectacular shots.”

There’s plenty to keep the Pier Masters busy, berthing and mooring boats of all different sizes, loading ferries to the isles and dealing with passengers and handling cargo, monitioring VHF radio/telephone and logging and monitoring all vessel movements within the area, supplying fresh water and garbage disposal on request, pier maintenance and security.

Graham said: “There is never two days or nights the same at work as we deal with different vessels/boats and meet new people of different nationalities. In my time at the harbour I've had to help various vessels/boats that have snapped mooring ropes during strong gales and have been damaged, I've also been able to assist people with minor injuries or issues and also had the help of the other emergency services when required (Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade). Sadly, during my time on duty I've also had to deal with tragedy around the harbour which is never nice.

“Having always had an interest in the sea and boats, I really enjoy my job and being involved in the running of the pier.”