Why did you join HM Coastguard?
“I joined HM Coastguard at 18, and that was about 18 years ago now. I think I’m possibly the longest serving female CRO in Area 1,” says Faye, a CRO from Unst, the most northerly island (and Coastguard Rescue Team) in the British Isles. 
“I was introduced to the role by a former Station Officer, who I was working with outside of the Coastguard.”
She adds: “I’m a keen outdoors person, and living on the island we do, it’s always good to give back to the community, so it seemed a really good opportunity.”
What is the most unusual incident you have attended?
Faye says that there have been a few during her time as a CRO, but perhaps the most notable came during the COVID-19 lockdown. “There was a yacht that had gone missing from Norway and was traced to our area,” she says. 
“We got tasked by Shetland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to search local marinas and in the middle of the night, with a full mist, we found the yacht in Harbour. The crewman didn’t speak English, but in a very helpful twist, one of our team could speak some Norwegian.
“It turned out that the man had been blown off course and was lost. Our colleagues at Shetland were able to inform the Norwegian Coastguard that he was safe and well, and he was helped back to Norway. 
 What is the most unusual place you’ve been when your pager has gone off?
“Working in health and fitness, my pager often ends up going off when I’m in a swimming pool! It’s funny that whenever it does, I can get out of the water and get dry in minutes but can’t ever seem to get my socks on – people often see me running out of the leisure centre barefoot with my shoes and socks in hand!”
What is the most challenging part of your role?
Faye says that the geography and location of Baltasound is naturally a challenging environment that can make for difficult travel across the island in poor weather, but island life can also mean that sometimes, those in trouble are those you know.
“I suppose most people would expect the terrain and remoteness to be a challenge, but what is often more difficult is being part of a tight-knit community where we all 
know one another in some way,” she says. “There’s also a lot of logistics at work when we seek help and support from other teams, like those in Lerwick, who’re a two-hour ferry trip away from us.”
She adds: “We’re very fortunate that we do also have HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters supporting us, which helps us out a lot.”
Which local beach is your favourite and why? 
“My favourite beach is Norwick beach. It has everything you’d need: sand, swimming, rocks. It’s a family-friendly beach, but you can often have it entirely to yourself too, especially during the Winter months.”
She adds, cautiously: “However, we do also have seals that come and have a nosey, so it’s not just the seagulls you’ll be hiding your picnic from!”
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the team?
“I really enjoy being able to help my community, which is good fun. We’re also putting into practice the skills that we’ve picked up as Coastguards, and that’s not always while we’re on the job either. They’re skills for life that you could end up using at any time while living in a smaller island community.”
 What new skills have you learned as a CRO?
I
’ve been very lucky that my Area Management Team decided to put me forward as a CERCC instructor,” says Faye, who is also a qualified Rope Technician (Officer in Charge)
CERCC stands for Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care, and it’s a course that’s given to and attended by all Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs). 
She adds: “I train Coastguards across Shetland and Orkney, and that can be from new recruits to seasoned coastguards attending a refresher course to sharpen up their knowledge and skills.”
When you’re not a CRO, what do you enjoy doing?
Faye enjoys walks with her family along the coasts and paths, which are plentiful across Baltasound and the Shetland islands, as well as taking part in indoor fitness contests, most recently in Glasgow. 
“My work in health and fitness holds me in good stead, be that walking, running or cycling,” she says. “We’ve great wildlife and a great location here, so it’s good to get out. From May to September, we see Puffins on our shores, and that’s something to enjoy too!”
What do you do for a living?
“I’m a Fitness Instructor at a local sports centre. It’s full-on but it’s great fun, and I’ve been doing it for a very long time – about 20 years!”
