Fraserburgh RNLI welcomes new station chaplain

Rev Newlands, who recently took up his ministry with Fraserburgh and District Parish Church takes up the volunteer RNLI chaplaincy role bringing prior healthcare chaplaincy experience from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary alongside his strong North East roots.

His first public appearance as Fraserburgh RNLI’s chaplain will be on Saturday 19 September 2026, when Rev Newlands leads the dedication and blessing for the station's all-weather lifeboat, ON 1301 /16-21 John Buchanan Barr.

The Tamar class John Buchanan Barr arrived on station earlier in the year following a comprehensive refit and relief-fleet service, and has already been called out on a number of occasions including a multi-agency shout at Slains Castle in August.

Saturday's ceremony provides a formal moment for the volunteer crew, station personnel, and local community to mark the boat's ongoing service protecting fishermen and mariners in the North Sea.

The Blessing of the Lifeboat will begin at 3pm at the Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station (*weather permitting) when Mr James Gray OBE, Chairman of Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station will welcome everyone and Miriam Kemp RNMDSF will say the opening prayer.

Psalm 107: 23-21 will then be read by a member of the Fraserburgh Sea Cadets and this will be followed by a Reflection read by retired Fraserburgh RNLI Coxswain Albert Sutherland MBE.

The Hymn “Will Your Anchor Hold” will be sung before the Dedication and Blessing by Rev Mike Newlands which will be followed by current full time coxswain Vic Sutherland and an Act of Remembrance.

An RNLI volunteer will lay a wreath on the Fraserburgh Lifeboat Memorial statue which remembers the thirteen local RNLI lifeboatmen who died on service in three separate lifeboat disasters in 1919,1953 and 1970.

This will be followed by a moment’s silence and then the coxswain’s young daughter Piper Lucy Sutherland will play the lament and before Rev Mike Newlands says prayers for the community.

The Lady Saltoun DL whose family have been closely involved in Fraserburgh Lifeboat for over two hundred years will give a short history and look to the future of the station.

The Lifeboat Prayer will be read by Fraserburgh Lifeboat Chairman James Gray OBE and the Closing Blessing performed by Rev Mike Newlands.

Rev Mike Newlands said that he was looking forward to the Blessing on Saturday and added:

'It’s an immense privilege to walk alongside the volunteer crew at Fraserburgh. Lifeboat crews carry a heavy, vital responsibility for our coastal community, and pastoral support goes hand-in-hand with the seamanship and grit shown out on the water.'

Fraserburgh RNLI Coxswain Vic Sutherland said:

'We are delighted to welcome Mike into the station family. Faith and maritime life have shared a long history in the Broch, and having a chaplain who understands our community so well is a great comfort and strength to the team.'

The blessing service will take place at Fraserburgh RNLI Station, Shore Street at 3pm on Saturday, 19 September 2026 following an open lifeboat day where visitors can get a guided tour of the lifeboat and station between 10am and 2pm.

In case of inclement weather the Blessing ceremony will take place at the Fishmarket.

Local visitors and supporters are advised to check RNLI Fraserburgh Lifeboat Facebook page for any changes or unforeseen circumstances.

Notes to Editors

• Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station has a proud history of saving lives at sea, operating since 1858 (with lifeboat operations recorded locally from 1805)
• The Tamar-class all-weather lifeboat John Buchanan Barr (16-21) replaced the station's long-serving Trent-class Willie and May Gall (14-34) in spring 2026.
• Thirteen Fraserburgh Lifeboatmen have died in three separate tragedies in 1919, 1953 and 1970.
• The 140,000 life saved by the RNLI since records began was recorded in June 2012 when Fraserburgh Lifeboat rescued a kitesurfer who had been entangled in his lines and was being dragged out to sea.
• Key facts about the RNLI: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service across the UK and Republic of Ireland coasts. Independent of government, the charity relies on voluntary donations and legacies. Since 1824, RNLI lifesavers have saved over 146,700 lives.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Billy Watson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fraserburgh RNLI, [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.