Oban Lifeboat loses remarkable mechanic to retirement

On Friday 7th October 2011, Jim Watson, the full time mechanic for the Oban Lifeboat, retired after over 23 years service.

That itself is remarkable but Mr Watson also leaves behind him a leaving as astonishing and marathon record.

Try this.

During his service, which began in March 1988,  Jim Watson responded to 1,022 service calls. This amounts to  67.5% of the total launches during that period, covering 18,582 nautical miles in a total of 1,681 hours.

Of these calls, 226 were medevacs from the Isle of Mull, the staple diet of the Oban Lifeboat.  During his tenure he was responsible for refuelling the lifeboat with a colossal 220,017 litres of diesel.

Jim’s longest service was 19.73 hours and the longest distance travelled on a shout was 185 nautical miles.

The Lifeboat’s  management committee, coxswain Ronnie MacKillop and crew wish Jim all the best and a long and happy retirement.