
RNLI Aith lifeboat Charles Lidbury goes for an engine refit
RNLI Charles Lidbury is to be fitted with new ‘MTU’ engines, which, Coxswain Hylton Henry said, ‘will allow the lifeboat to be more fuel efficient, easier to handle, and environmentally friendly’ .
The RNLI Severn class relief lifeboat 17-31 had arrived in Aith on Friday 17 March and now Aith's lifeboat has left Shetland to travel to Girvan.
The volunteer crew at RNLI Aith lifeboat station have carried out training this week, learning about the new engines, as this will ensure that they are fully proficient in using them when the refit has been completed.
The crew are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so it is important that they familiarise themselves with any new modifications on the lifeboat.
The RNLI Charles Lidbury will start the journey to Girvan on Monday 27 March, via Kirkwall and Inverness, arriving in Girvan at the end of the month.
The refit is estimated to take around 18 weeks, so the RNLI Charles Lidbury should be back at Aith lifeboat station by September.
Notes to Editors
Photo shows RNLI Charles Lidbury and relief lifeboat 17-31, at Aith mooring. Credit RNLI/John Robertson
RNLI media contacts: Liz Boxwell, RNLI Aith volunteer lifeboat press officer, 07789 728874, [email protected]
Or Richard Smith, RNLI Public Relations Manager for Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or [email protected]
Or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]
Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.