RNLI Thurso Coxswain retires after almost half a century of service

Wing Munro, 65, has served on the crew of the Thurso lifeboat for 47 years, 9 months and as full-time Coxswain for just under 16 years. As Coxswain Wing has overseen countless shouts and been involved in some of most noteworthy rescues undertaken by Thurso Lifeboat Station’s volunteer crew, he has also received multiple awards from the Institution.

One of Wing’s most memorable shouts is the September 1997 rescue of the 50 foot Aztec scallop boat which had fouled its propeller in Loch Eriboll (a sea loch west of Thurso) Whilst on route to the rescue the Thurso lifeboat, The Queen Mother, lost one of its engines but continued to the aid of the Aztec’s crew. Under Wing’s command the crew successfully reached the Aztec, in extremely rough conditions, and towed her safely back to Scrabster Harbour. In recognition of his bravery and the bravery of his volunteer crew Wing received the RNLI Thanks of the Institution on Vellum.

In July 2011 Wing and his volunteer crew rescued twelve tourists from the rocks of the Island of Stroma, in the Pentland Firth, after the tour boat they were travelling in became stricken. The six military personnel on-board plus their wives decided to abandon ship. Recounting the story Wing attributes the successful rescue of the group to their military training and survival knowledge. In a letter to the RNLI after the event one of those rescued said he couldn’t: “praise highly enough the bravery, professionalism and manner in which your team went about extracting us from the rocks… It probably wasn’t the most difficult rescue Wing’s crew has carried out, but to us every man was a hero of enormous proportions and we will be eternally indebted”.

One of Wing’s more recent rescues was to a scallop diver, in May 2017, who Wing describes as “very lucky” to be alive. The diver spent 11 hours in the water before signalling to a fishing boat and then being picked up by the Thurso RNLI Severn class lifeboat.

Another incident that particularly sticks in Wing’s mind is the 48 hour search for the Shearwater, in March 1984, whose crew were all friends of the lifeboat crew. Tragically the Shearwater was lost and the lifeboat crew’s job changed from a rescue to a recovery mission. Only two of the three crew members’ bodies were recovered.

Wing’s memories of rescues and recoveries reflect the collective memory of the Thurso coastal community. The successes and tragedies experienced by the lifeboat’s crew are often felt in homes throughout the area.

With 48 years of service Wing is one of the RNLI’s longest standing crew members.

Speaking about Wing’s service to the Institution, RNLI Chief Executive, Paul Boissier said:

“On behalf of the RNLI I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Wing Munro for almost half a century of service to the RNLI. Wing’s unwavering support has seen him attend hundreds of call outs during this time, ultimately making a real difference to people’s lives. This huge amount of hard work and loyalty is both inspiring and humbling and the institution is incredibly grateful for such commitment to saving lives at sea.”

Notes to Editors

Summary of Wing’s awards:

Thanks of the Institution on Vellum

Chairman’s letter

Long service badge

Operations Director’s Letter

More memorable rescues and video links to rescues:

10 hours shout with Lochinver to Norholm fish carrying vessel - https://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/play/utwykeFi

August 2011, also called Norholm, https://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/play/h5FmnHUI

The scallop diver that Wing described as ‘the luckiest man he’s ever rescued’ - https://www.orcadian.co.uk/missing-diver-swam-towards-sailing-vessel-rescued/

also here http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scallop-diver-survives-11-hours-10358233

RNLI media contacts

Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Henry Weaver, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07771 943026, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

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.