Largs RNLI welcomes Santa
Regular Wednesday evening training was interrupted this week, 17 December 2025, as the volunteer crew had a special festive visit from Santa Claus.
Santa who is a regular visitor to the lifeboat station in Largs arrived on a top secret reconnaissance mission from the North Pole in advance of Christmas Eve next week.
He wanted to discuss the safety measures onboard his sleigh while also seeking advice on the suitability and reliability of his lifejacket. Water safety advisers at the station were able to talk him through how to check his lifejacket for wear and tear issues, explaining lifejackets are useless unless worn. They also told Santa if he gets into any trouble around the coast of the UK, or sees anyone in difficulty, he should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Santa also took some time to talk with Largs lifeboat helm Dave about the mechanical maintenance of the sleigh, comparing the ‘festive spirit’ powered sleigh’s performance against the Atlantic 85 lifeboat. Santa was also pleased to report the new navigational lights for the sleigh, which Largs Yacht Haven have provided by asking their berth holders to decorate their boats, will prove highly useful if the visibility around the Largs area is poor on Christmas Eve.
RNLI volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, and regularly have to leave their families during the middle of the night, dinner time, birthdays, and even potentially on Christmas Day. The crew’s children are always very supportive seeing their parents rush off to help someone in trouble along the coast or at sea.
Each year RNLI volunteers are prepared to leave their loved ones to save others at Christmas, including those at Largs RNLI.
While at Largs lifeboat station Mr Claus presented selection boxes, which were kindly donated by the Community Champions at Morrisons in Largs, to the children of the volunteer crew, assuring the children and the crew they are all currently on the ‘Good List’ this year.
A few of the crew dogs were also in attendance and Santa Paws was also able to present them with some yummy dog treats for being such good girls and boys throughout the year.
Claire McRae, Lifeboat Press Officer at Largs RNLI, said: ‘The children of the crew here at Largs are incredibly understanding of having their parents rush out of the door to help other people, and hopefully having Santa visit the station will go a little towards thanking them for their support throughout the year.
‘The volunteer crew at Largs would like to pass on their thanks to Santa for taking the time to visit the station during what is without doubt his busiest time of year.
‘Thanks also go to the Community Champions at Morrisons in Largs for their very kind donation of selection boxes and dog treats, it is very much appreciated by us all.
‘We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all of our volunteers, fundraisers, supporters, partner agencies and members of the public a very safe and happy Christmas.’
Notes to editors
Additional images are available on Largs lifeboat social media pages.
RNLI media contacts
Claire McRae, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07738681546, [email protected]
Brian Rankin, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810862468, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.