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Fraserburgh RNLI encounters a pod of dolphins while training in Pennan Bay

Lifeboats News Release

Fraserburgh RNLI volunteers were training in Pennan Bay when they were joined by a pod of dolphins.

RNLI volunteers were engaged in several training exercises aboard Fraserburgh lifeboat Willie and May Gall and its XP Boat in Pennan Bay on the evening of 25 May 2023 when they were joined by a pod of dolphins.

Within sight of the picturesque village of Pennan, several miles west of Fraserburgh, nestling under the cliffs which stretch from New Aberdour Bay to Gardenstown, the dolphins swam alongside and underneath the lifeboat in a fabulous aquatic display which lasted around twenty minutes.

The village of Pennan with its iconic telephone box became famous a few years ago as the setting for the Bill Forsyth film “Local Hero”.

During the war the Fraserburgh Lifeboat had a few mercy trips to Pennan with food and supplies when it was cut off by snow for weeks on end.

Vic Sutherland, Fraserburgh RNLI coxswain/mechanic, says: “We occasionally see the odd dolphin or two when we are training but this is the first time we’ve seen so many for such a prolonged time for quite a while.

'It was a fantastic display in such amazing scenery and we’re really pleased to have captured some of them on video.'

Notes to editors

· Fraserburgh lifeboat station has been operating since 1858. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/fraserburgh-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Billy Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Stuart Fenty, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Jaye Mackay, RNLI Media Engagement Placement for Scotland, 07929 673286, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

RNLI/Billy Watson

One of the dolphins which swam alongside Fraserburgh Lifeboat during a training exercise in Pennan Bay

RNLI/Billy Watson

RNLI Fraserburgh volunteer Ricky Morrice watches as two dolphins leap out of the water

RNLI/Billy Watson

Several dolphins surface at once alongside Fraserburgh Lifeboat with the village of Pennan in sight

RNLI/Billy Watson

The picturesque village of Pennan, several miles west of Fraserburgh, nestles under the cliffs which stretch from New Aberdour Bay to Gardenstown.

RNLI/Billy Watson

The village of Pennan with its iconic telephone box became famous a few years ago as the setting for the Bill Forsyth film “Local Hero”

RNLI/Billy Watson

During the war the Fraserburgh Lifeboat John and Charles Kennedy had a few mercy trips to Pennan with food and supplies when the village was cut off by snow for weeks on end.

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, 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.

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