Meet Your Coastguards: Cameron McAuley, Dunoon Deputy Station Officer

Why did you join HM Coastguard? 

Yorkshireman Cameron McAuley grew up alongside Coastguard stations of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, hearing tales of 18th century smugglers and their exploits.  

“I was always fascinated by the bravery of the local RNLI and coastguard teams and their many rescues off our rugged coastline in any weather the North Sea could throw at them,” says Cameron.  

Cameron moved to Dunoon on Scotland’s Clyde coast, where he saw an advert for HM Coastguard on social media. He says: “The Coastguard enabled me to fully balance home life, work life and protecting the community – what more could you ask for!” 

 What is the most unusual incident you have attended? 

“A call came through that suspected ordinance had been found on the shore of Loch Fyne. Ordnance calls are not unheard of in our area, but 30 or so miles up a sea loch is a bit more unusual,” says Cameron. 

“We arrived on scene to be greeted by the sight of a rather large Mk17 sea mine, the big spiky ones you see in the movies, happily bobbing about amongst the rocks.” 

Cameron and his team contacted Operations staff at HM Coastguard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Belfast and secured the scene. A Royal Navy Bomb disposal team was sent and waded out to look for the mine.  

“After peeling decades of encrusted sea life off the object, they established that it was a training mine used to test submarine sonar capability and that one of their team would be down at some point to recover it!” 

What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off? 

“Any Coastguard would be able to tell you, the ‘always-ready’ nature of the role dictates that your pager can go off at any time in any situation,” says Cameron. 

“One of my proudest moments happened recently when my six-year-old daughter won a prize at school and had been badgering me to come to her awarding ceremony. 

“Secretly, I had blocked off my work diary to ensure I could get there, but I thought I’d surprise her. I was waiting in the reception of the primary school with my wife and some of the other parents when my pager went off. I looked at my wife in fear and she smiled and told me to crack on.” 

Cameron flew out of the door to manage his team’s response to a vessel perilously aground on rocks during a heavy swell. Getting home, he waited to hear more about his daughter’s disappointment. 

Cameron said: “My wife had told my daughter that it was a Coastguard call, and she ended up including this in her acceptance speech in front of the whole school. I was a very proud dad!” 

What is the most challenging part of your role? 

As Deputy Station Officer for Dunoon Coastguard Rescue Team, one of Cameron’s primary responsibilities is incident management, and he’s liaised with almost every resource available to help save lives at sea across the southwest highlands.  

He says: “On occasion, I’ve been using multiple radios on multiple frequencies, organising our team as well as directing the HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and water assets from the RNLI, MOD and sometimes, Royal Navy! 

“Clear command and control is needed to do this effectively, as is the ability to be flexible and plan ahead. You can guarantee the job will change multiple times during an operation!” 

 Which local beach is your favourite and why?  

“Kilbride or Ostel Bay (Bàgh Osde in the Gaelic) is my favourite local beach, despite it being in our neighbouring flank team’s patch! 

“It’s beautiful white sands and sheltered, shallow waters are a tonic for the soul – out of tourist season. If you fancy a visit, go on a crisp clear day in February (if you can find one in Argyll!) and you’ll have the whole beach to yourself.” 

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team? 

Cameron feels like HM Coastguard attracts likeminded individuals and feels fortunate to have represented the Coastguard at the Cenotaph in London in 2023.  

He says: “Coastguards from all over the country convened in Southampton for drill practice before shipping to London and within an hour of meeting for the first time, we all behaved as if we had known each other for years. I love this about the Service!” 

“Our team’s camaraderie is exceptional! We train every Tuesday night and not only does this keep our operational skills in top shape, but it’s as much a social event where we get together and have a laugh.”  

“Cohesion is invaluable when you need to dig in on a call out,” he adds. “There is no substitute for good humour when you are eight hours into a missing person search during a very long west highland winter’s night (perhaps a cup of tea helps a little too!).” 

What new skills have you learned as a CRO? 

“Since starting with the Coastguard, I’ve been impressed with the level of training, both initial and continuous, that is provided to the Service.  

Cameron adds: “As Category 1 responders, we are as efficient and competent as any of the other emergency services in anything we do. A good example of this is the casualty care training we receive (CERCC), and constant improvements made to our capabilities.” 

When you’re not working or volunteering as a CRO, what do you enjoy doing? 

As a parent of small children, Cameron points out that ‘free time’ is a bit of a misnomer. But when he’s not at work or volunteering, family time is what’s important and the McAuley’s are blessed to live among an abundance of lochs, hills and coastline.  

“A favourite of ours on a Saturday morning is to get up early and take our canoe to Loch Eck, some 20 minutes from our front door,” he says.  

“Being the first on the water during the spring and summer months means you will likely spot otters, jumping trout, and kingfishers. During the autumn we like to listen out for the roar of the red deer stag on the hill getting ready for the rutting season.” 

What do you do for a living? 

“I’m a Chartered Environmental Health Officer working for Argyll and Bute Council. Argyll and Bute Council are an excellent employer, and they fully appreciate that the county couldn’t operate without the work of retained and voluntary responders, and our contract reflects this! 

He adds: “My public health function and our work here in the Coastguard complement each other well. At work, our aim is to protect the health of the people of Argyll, and at the Coastguard, we protect the safety of our people on our coastline.”  

Dunoon Coastguard Rescue Team actively engages with their local community to improve coastal safety knowledge, from school visits through to hosting a stand at the 8000-strong Cowal Highland Gathering every August.  

Click here to read more about becoming a Coastguard Rescue Officer.