Coastguard Amy follows in granddad’s heroic footsteps on Jura

SEVENTY years after her grandfather signed up to rescue lives in peril on Scotland’s seas, Amy Dunnahie is following his footsteps up the gangplank.

She has joined the Coastguard Service on Jura where her granddad Charlie MacLean, who died 19 years ago, carried out his first rescue in Atlantic gales.

Amy, 24, says she feels priviliged to follow in Charlie’s footsteps.

“He was the coastguard station officer for much of his life,” she said.

“Everyone liked him and respected his devotion to duty.

“He was awarded an MBE for his service.

“I have grown up on Jura and love it. I guess it’s in the genes.

“We are a family that likes to make our contribution to the community.”

Training as a coastguard involved Amy practising rescuing people from boats in trouble.

She said: “That means being in freezing water all day in a wet suit.

“Even in summer the waters off Jura are far from warm.

“We also have to know how to rescue people trapped on cliffs.

“Taking part in medical evacuations of seriously-ill patients to hospitals in the mainland is also now in my remit.”

“Call-outs come at any time and the conditions can be treacherous.

Less than 200 live on the remote island of Jura, which can be hit by winds of more than 70mph.

The notorious Corryvreckan Whirlpool, the third largest whirlpool in the world, lies off its north coast and is among the hazards Amy must negotiate.

Jura Coastguard deal with up to 30 emergencies a year.

Amy’s family have been on Inner Hebrides isle for generations.

Her proud parents, Carolyn and Alex, are backing her all the way.

“They are delighted I am carrying on the family tradition,” Amy adds.

Her partner, Grant Rozga, 31, is also a member and he and Amy grew up on the island together.

Their rescue gear lies ready for any emergency at the front door of their island home.

David Graham, senior coastguard operations officer for HM Coastguard, said: “Amy is joining a close-knit team with a long history on the island and she will make a fantastic addition to an already effective team.”

Coincidentally, Amy’s grandparents Charlie and Nancy made headline news in The Sunday Post when they married on Jura in 1954.

They had a double wedding on the island.

The smiling couple had their touching wedding pictures featured a week before they wed, exactly 63 years ago today.

Nancy celebrated her 90th birthday last week.

Amy said: “Reporters and cameramen flocked to Jura to capture the wedding.

“It was big news at the time and lovely story of island life.

“George Orwell wrote his famous 1984 novel on Jura and my gran remembers meeting him.

“She says he was a pleasant man.”