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Please do not use this page to report an emergency. If you are reporting an incident around the coastline or at sea please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. Contacting us directly could result in a delay to required search and rescue assets being deployed.

A one storey grey building with blue doors next to a pontoon where an all-weather lifeboat is moored.

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

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Mark Speight

Officially established in 1972, Kirkwall is a relatively recent addition to Scotland’s coastal rescue services. The crews have been awarded three medals for gallantry during their lifesaving history.

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Three different classes of lifeboat gather on a calm sea at sunrise.
Kirkwall's lifeboat
Find out more about the lifeboat helping our crews to save lives at sea at Kirkwall.
Our Lifeboat
RNLI flag against a blue sky.
News and media from Kirkwall
Read the latest rescue stories, volunteer news and updates from our lifeboat station.
Latest News
Sand art on a beach which says 'Be aware tidal cut off' in large letters.
Local info, forecasts and tides
Find local safety information and get the 5-day forecast and tide times for your area.
Local info
A range of historical lifejackets: one is cork, one kapok and one is foam covered in red material with RNLI printed on it.
Kirkwall's history
Take a look back through key events from the history of our lifeboat station in our timeline.
Our History

Visitor information and facilities

Station address

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station
Lifeboat House
West Pier
Kirkwall
KW15 1LE

Station phone number

01856 875201

Visiting times

To arrange a visit please contact the station.

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Recent lifeboat launches from Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Our latest launches >

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

11.04am 22 August 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

10.33pm 16 August 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

8.23pm 15 August 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

4.00pm 9 August 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

5.07pm 22 July 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

1.38am 21 June 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

12.57am 7 May 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

2.55pm 12 April 2026

Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Launch time

5.46am 18 March 2026

News and media from Kirkwall Lifeboat Station

Lifeboat towing small yacht through rough seas, the shoreline is in the foreground and land in the background.
Article Rescue
Launch for Kirkwall RNLI lifeboat – Coxswain praises yacht crew
Read more
Two RNLI boat crew in navy overalls in the engine room of a lifeboat
Article People
Newly qualified mechanics provide cover for Kirkwall RNLI lifeboat
Read more
Young athlete, Finlay Scott, RNLI crew member and two other people on the bow of RNLI 17-13 all weather lifeboat.
Article Events
Kirkwall RNLI volunteers launch for King’s Baton Relay
Read more
Five fundraising women by food counter with an array of sandwiches and juice.
Article Heritage
Fundraising opportunity for Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Guild
Read more

Find a volunteer role

Check out our volunteering vacancies
Kirkwall's RNLI Shop
Blue shopping bag.
Help raise money for RNLI lifesavers and grab local mementos by paying a visit to our RNLI shop.
Our shop