
Red flare prompts search by Longhope RNLI lifeboat
The first shout of 2020 for Longhope lifeboat volunteer crew saw them paged at 10.01pm on February 1st and requested by the UK coastguard to attend near Duncansby Head.
Sea conditions and visibility were good and the search was assisted by a shuttle tanker also passing through the Pentland Firth at the same time. The lifeboats did not find any evidence of vessels or persons in distress but, at the request of the UK coastguard, broadened their search, with Longhope crew scouring the eastern shore of Stroma before being stood down at 11.32pm.
The Helen Comrie then quickly returned to the station at Longhope and was refuelled and made ready for service once again.
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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.