By Anna Carlton of RNLI
When RNLI volunteer Cal Reed moved to Stonehaven in 2025, he brought with him a host of RNLI competencies and qualifications. Cal wanted to be able to offer Stonehaven lifeboat station more. So, he embarked on and recently passed his navigator competency training for the station’s Atlantic 85 ILB.
Last year, 2025, was a year of change for Cal. After a 17 year full-time career with the RNLI, Cal moved on to new opportunities with HM Coastguard. But feeling he still had plenty to give to the RNLI, and newly resident in Stonehaven, he applied to join Stonehaven RNLI.
Cal says, ‘Having spent half my life at sea with the RNLI, I wasn’t quite ready to hang up my sea boots just yet. So, I was extremely pleased to be accepted into the fold at Stonehaven. The whole team has been amazing at welcoming me and making feel part of the crew. Hopefully I can pass on some of what I’ve learned over the last two decades to some of the bright new volunteers coming through the door.’
Cal’s RNLI story began way back in 2006 when he volunteered at Montrose RNLI. Spending so much time at the station that when a full-time job opportunity as assistant mechanic with the RNLI arose, he jumped at it. And so, his RNLI career took him to Humber lifeboat station, which at the time was the country’s only full-time all weather lifeboat station.
In 2010 the pull of the North East of Scotland drew Cal home. He had a short stint at Peterhead RNLI, before taking up the role of full-time station mechanic at Aberdeen RNLI. During his time with Aberdeen, Cal passed out as coxswain for their all weather lifeboat, then becoming station coxswain in 2020.
Over his 20 years with the RNLI Cal has now crewed every class of RNLI vessel currently in service, as well as two classes no longer in service. To date, he has been involved with nearly 300 SAR missions and received 11 letters of thanks from the RNLI.
Stonehaven RNLI lifeboat station manager, Peter Esson said: ‘’It’s great that even though Cal has moved on in terms of his career, he is still wanting to volunteer and utilise his RNLI skills and experience. And we are making the most of it.
”Not only has Cal recently passed out as an Atlantic 85 ILB navigator, but he has also agreed to act as lifeboat trainer and assessor at the station. Having someone of his experience supporting up and coming crew is invaluable.’’