Celebrations at RNLI Loch Ness

9.00am Saturday 3rd March 2018, and there was a quiet air of anticipation around the new Loch Ness Lifeboat Station. Everything was spic and span. Flags were unfurled, banners, bunting and signs were tied up, displays made ready, tea urn filled and cakes laid out. The team were soon ready for their visitors, but nothing could have prepared them for the wonderful turn out as the community braved the cold wind to show their support. Two shuttle buses were running people between Drumnadrochit and Urquhart Bay Harbour and there was a constant stream of people, delighted for the opportunity to visit the new station, meet the crew and watch the lifeboat demonstrations with the old Atlantic 75 and the new Atlantic 85.

The open day was being held less than a fortnight after the new Loch Ness Lifeboat Station became fully operational, and the volunteers, usually in their quiet time, have been busier than ever training and becoming familiar with the new lifeboat and settling into the new station. Having operated for the past ten years from a much smaller space with limited access and no boat hall, the team feel very proud of their new facilities and equipment.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Joanna Stebbings said 'the team were overwhelmed by the number of people who came to show their support and donated so generously. £791 was raised on the day and ten new people expressed an interest in volunteering. Special thanks to all who helped make such a success of the day, we couldn't have done it without them.'

Loch Ness RNLI is the only inland Lifeboat Station on mainland Britain. Even in the height of summer the water below the surface remains around 6 degrees and rapidly changing weather conditions can catch out even the most experienced of sailors. The Loch Ness volunteers responded to 33 call outs in 2017.

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

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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.