Donate now

Stromness RNLI lifeboat volunteers in tricky cliff rescue

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI volunteers on board Stromness lifeboat attended a casualty at the base of high cliffs in the west of Orkney Mainland yesterday (Monday 23 May).

The Stromness RNLI Y-Boat on the call-out

RNLI Stromness

Stromness RNLI Y-Boat
Download image
Volunteer crew members on Stromness lifeboat, Violet Dorothy and Kathleen, were called to assist a 28-year-old climber who had fallen whilst climbing a sea stack close to Yesnaby. The individual had fallen whilst abseiling down the cliff to begin the climb. They fell on the rocky beach and then into the water, but were quickly pulled to relative safety by their climbing partner and the coastguard was alerted.

Stromness RNLI lifeboat responded and was quickly on the scene where three crew members deployed the Y-boat and went ashore to administer first aid. The casualty was transferred to the all-weather lifeboat which went further out to sea to meet with the coastguard helicopter. The winch man / paramedic was lowered to the deck of the lifeboat where further medical attention was given. The casualty was then winched up to the aircraft in the basket and quickly transferred to The Balfour Hospital in Orkney.

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.

About the author

Richard Clubley
Lifeboat Press Officer, Stromness

Categories