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Longhope receive Lifesaving Operations Director Commendation Award

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteer crew members at Longhope RNLI have been recognised by the RNLI for the rescue of 51 casualties (and a snake) from a ferry in difficulty in the Pentland Firth last year.

Mary Harris

1 Left to right: Mechanic Alexander Sinclair, Kevin Kirkpatrick, Scott Johnston, Steve Rhodes, Coxswain Angus Budge, and LOM Colin Bates accepting award for Ben Ware.

The Longhope RNLI lifeboat crew during the rescue were Coxswain Angus Budge, Mechanic Alex Sinclair, and Volunteer Crew Members, Kevin Kirkpatrick, Scott Jonhston, Steve Rhodes and Ben Ware.

The Commendation Award from the Lifesaving Operations Director at the RNLI, John Payne, reads:

I would specifically like to acknowledge your role as Crew of the Tamar class lifeboat RNLB Helen Comrie during a service on 5 July 2022 when you were tasked to aid the MV Alfred which had run aground off Swona in the Pentland Firth.

Working as a team, you calmly and professionally rescued 51 casualties from the MV Alfred, providing casualty care and reassurance where needed. Once the casualty vessel refloated, you subsequently escorted it to safety before ensuring all the casualties were safely embarked on land.

Your ongoing determination and commitment to saving lives at sea is greatly appreciated.

Excellent result, and very well done to all the crew. Interesting to note that in the crew photo, besides the mechanic, there is one retired coxswain, two trainee coxswains and two deputy coxswains. Unfortunately Ben Ware was unable to attend but Lifeboat Operations Manager Colin Bates accepted the award on Ben’s behalf.

Notes to editors

· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/longhope-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer at Longhope RNLI

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


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

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