A north-east teenager has followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the crew of a lifesaving charity.
Jamie Paterson, from Findhorn, is the newest member of the village’s lifeboat crew and is the son of longstanding senior coxswain Simon Paterson.
However, the 16-year-old is no stranger to the waves having won the UK Royal Yachting Association’s rib championship three times when he was 10, 12 and 14.
The Forres Academy pupil was involved in his first callout for the Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (Miro) recently.
And it was Jamie who spotted the kayak that had become parted from its owners and was drifting more than a mile off the coast of Burghead.
The boat was then launched again just hours later on Saturday amid reports two people had been cut off by the tide near Nairn.
He said: “Living at Findhorn Marina and my dad being involved with Miro, I’ve watched the guys training in the bay and the boat going out on shouts and I’ve always been keen to join and be involved.”
Miro chairman John Low said: ““For the continued successful operation of Miro, the board is conscious that we need to encourage younger people to join the organisation.
“Jamie is the newest and youngest member of the crew but joins with an exceptionally high level of expertise and experience with powerboats.
“With his skills, experience and enthusiasm, I am sure Jamie will quickly establish himself as a valued member of our team.”
