Confessions of a Revenue Cutter Commander - Tuesday 24th February 2026
A first-hand account of life at sea on HM Revenue Cutters during a period of rapid change in Britain’s coastal waters. Christopher Wolley MBE draws on 42 years as an officer with HM Customs and Excise, including service as a Revenue Cutter Commander operating around the UK. His talk covers the realities of maritime enforcement, from the emergence of large-scale drug smuggling and the North Sea oil boom of the 1980s to unusual encounters such as the Klondike Factory fishing ship.
Alongside his professional career, Chris has been involved with the Rona Sailing Project for over 50 years as a skipper, trustee and now Chief Instructor. In recognition of this long-standing commitment, he received the RYA Lifetime Commitment Award from Princess Anne in 2018.
Duty Officer : Leigh Gibson
New Members Officer : Henry Bennet-Gough