Captain J Murchie Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Captain James Murchie joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service as a deck cadet in 1971. Progressing through the junior officer ranks, and gaining experience in most types of RFA ships, he was promoted to the rank of First Officer in 1981 having obtained his Class 1 Master Mariner Certificate.  In 1986 he was promoted to Chief Officer and then served as Executive Officer in a variety of front-line RFA ships.

In a varied career, he has served in many operational theatres including Beira Patrol (1974); the Falkland Islands (1984, 1986 and 1997); the Caribbean in support of the West Indies Guard Ship (1985); the Adriatic (1999) and the Arabian Gulf (1987, 1991 and 2002).

In 1988, following the procurement of HMNZS Endeavour, Captain Murchie was appointed for a six-month period to the Royal New Zealand Navy to train NZ personnel in replenishment and tanker operations.

During the Gulf war in early 1991, he served as liaison officer on board a Bulgarian-manned tanker tasked with the carriage of bulk fuel oils from Red Sea ports to the Allied Forces in the Gulf.

In 1993, after successful completion of the Royal Naval Staff Course at Greenwich, Captain Murchie spent two years on the staff of Commander in Chief Fleet at Northwood, where his responsibilities included Long Term Costing and Afloat Support matters. 

He was promoted to Captain in December 1995, and subsequently has commanded most classes of RFA vessel.  Since March 2001 Captain Murchie has been appointed to the AOR Class on a repeat appointing basis.  He resumed command of RFA Fort George in October 2008.  

Captain Murchie was born and brought up on the Isle of Arran, the place where he and his wife Susan have made their home.  His interests include hill walking, cycling, reading and playing chess.