Legendary Buckie lifeboat heads for home

Friday July 20 to Sunday July 22 will see the 47’ former Watson class lifeboat Laura Moncur return to the stamping ground she served between 1961 and 1984. On Friday at around 10.30am she will be escorted into the harbour by the William Blannin, Buckie’s current lifeboat, the two vessels going on to form the centre piece of a lifeboat station open day on the Saturday, with doors open 10.30am to 5pm.

The Laura Moncur is currently on a coastline tour of the UK with her new owner, Mark Waltham, at the helm. Mr Waltham has fully restored the vessel after he discovered her rotting away in an English dockyard.

Buckie RNLI lifeboat coxswain Alan Robertson said: ‘It’s going to be very emotional experience to see the Laura Moncur again after so many years. She was a great servant to Buckie and well-known across the north-east and beyond.

‘The difference in technology between the Laura Moncur and the William Blannin is quite surprising - for example, the Laura Moncur could only manage a top speed of nine knots whereas the William Blannin can do 25 knots.

‘For many years the Laura Moncur sat rotting out of the water at a harbour near Great Yarmouth when she was spotted by Mark, who was looking for a boat to restore. He’s brought her back to her former glory after investing a lot of time, money and energy in her.

‘After he’d completed the restoration he got in touch with us. It’s sad to think of a vessel like the Laura Moncur, which helped so many people, just lying there out of the water falling to pieces, so it’ll be great to see her in all her finery again after such a long time.’

Buckie RNLI rely solely on the generosity of the public to continue their 24/7 maritime search and rescue role. For more information on the work of the volunteer team, or to see how you can help out, visit www.buckielifeboat.co.uk, follow their Facebook page or phone the station on (01542) 831289 during office hours.

RNLI media contacts

For more information regarding this press release, please phone Buckie RNLI lifeboat station on (01542) 831289 during office hours.

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

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.

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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.