CalMac captain honoured with prestigious Merchant Navy medal for his service

A dedicated CalMac captain has been recognised for his exceptional service to Scotland’s west coast communities, receiving the prestigious Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service on Merchant Navy Day, Wednesday 3 September.

Captain Iain MacKenzie, 60, from the Isle of Skye, is one of just 12 seafarers across the UK to receive the honour this year, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the medal and a decade since it was incorporated into the UK Honours system.

Captain MacKenzie served with CalMac for over 32 years, most recently as Master of MV Loch Nevis, which serves the Small Isles, before officially retiring last week. His work ensured vital connections for communities are maintained, often in challenging weather and operational conditions.

In addition to his professional duties, Captain MacKenzie volunteered with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for more than 25 years, responding to countless emergency calls and demonstrating his commitment to maritime safety.

Speaking about the award, Captain MacKenzie said:

“It is an honour to have been nominated for this award. My father would have been immensely proud, having served as a merchant seaman himself.

“Serving the islands and communities has been a privilege - the scenery is stunning, the people are amazing, but the weather can be challenging at times.

“Looking after one another is vitally important, and this is something that has become increasingly clear to me through my volunteer work for the RNLI over the last 25 years.”

Merchant Navy Day celebrates the tireless contributions of the UK’s merchant navy in global trade and national security. Since 1835, merchant seafarers have transported cargo and people in times of peace and war, playing a vital role in the UK’s economy and resilience.

Duncan Mackison, CEO of CalMac, praised Captain MacKenzie’s dedication:

“Iain is a much-loved member of the CalMac community, and we are delighted that his hard work has been rewarded in such a prestigious way.

“As an islander, Iain knows how vital ferry connections are and he is committed to serving local communities as diligently as possible, and always with thought and care.

"His voluntary work with the RNLI shows just how selfless he is, and how much serving his community means to him.

“Iain is an inspiration and is the perfect example of how CalMac crew work every day to serve island communities. I am personally grateful to Iain for his dedication and extremely proud that he is being honoured with a Merchant Navy award.”

Iain will be formally presented with their medals at a state ceremony later this year.