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49 years of saving lives at sea for Portpatrick RNLI coxswain Robert McQueen.

Lifeboats News Release

Thursday 8 August 2024 marks 49 years since Robert McQueen first joined the RNLI starting out as a volunteer at Kippford Lifeboat Station in 1975.

Man standing on harbourside

The Lifeboat Station Project/ Jack Lowe

Robert McQueen Coxswain Portpatrick RNLI

Robert also served at Kirkudbright lifeboat station before becoming a volunteer at Portpatrick in the year 2000 when he moved to the area with his job at West Freugh.

In 2002, following 27 years of service, Robert and his partner Lesley were invited by the RNLI to attend The Queens Garden Party at Holyrood Palace.

A permanent move to Portpatrick in 2003 saw Robert employed by the RNLI as Relief Coxswain, covering over 30 stations from Aith in the North to Calshot in the South. Whilst providing cover at Tobermory RNLI on 27th January 2013, Robert and crew were paged to assist a fishing vessel, a rescue which earned them all a letter of thanks and commendation. This rescue has also featured in an episode of Saving Lives at Sea.

On September 1st 2014, Robert took on the permanent role of Coxswain at Portpatrick where he is still employed to this date.

Kim Stevenson, Volunteer Crew, Portpatrick RNLI said, ‘Robert's service for the RNLI is truly remarkable. His career has seen him attend hundreds of call outs, ultimately making a significant difference to the lives of many people. This huge amount of hard work and loyalty has been so inspiring to myself and many other crew members here at Portpatrick and I know the institution is extremely grateful for his commitment to saving lives at sea’.

It is public support that allows the RNLI to continue to save lives at sea and our volunteers need your support.

To make a donation to the RNLI visit RNLI.org/support-us/give-money/donate

Notes to Editors

· Portpatrick Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1877. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Station

· Coxswain Robert McQueen is available for interview.

· Click here to access the RNLI 200th anniversary media pack, which contains a selection of RNLI archive images from key points in the charity’s history, a RNLI history timeline, and a film of ‘200 years in 200 seconds’ – all of which can be downloaded.

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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