News - 04/05/20

CHC’s Commercial Marine Services Team Leader Darren Gough has recently taken the decision to move on from his 20 years at the Harbour Commission to pursue his career ambition of becoming a paramedic. 

Darren has worked at CHC’s Kingston Wharf site in East Cowes since 2000, alongside keeping up a number of his outside interests, which included carrying out the role of a Volunteer Community First Responder for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service, commercial diving, confined space work and security.

He said: “I have gained a lot of skills and experience from my time working for CHC, firstly in the maintenance and mooring department and then leading a multi-disciplinary team working mostly afloat on a wide range of marine projects and emergency response as well. On my future ambitions, CHC has been brilliant in supporting and helping me to make a rapid transition to the NHS. A position as a full time Emergency Vehicle Operative came up and I was thrilled when I heard I was successful in applying for the role.”

Starting out as an Emergency Vehicle Operative (EVO) in the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service, Darren will have several years of studying and gaining experience before he can fulfil his ambition of qualifying as a paramedic. “The training and opportunities with the Ambulance Service are amazing,” Darren said. “There are some remarkable staff working here so I’ll have to prove myself before earning the chance to ‘climb the ladder’, but that suits me because I always like to learn from the ground up.”

Cowes Harbour Master Capt. Stuart McIntosh said: “I am delighted that CHC has been able to support and facilitate Darren’s career change into the NHS Ambulance Service, especially during these unprecedented times and demand on the NHS. I would like to thank Darren for his long service to Cowes Harbour, and we all wish him well in his important and demanding new career.”