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Longhope celebrates passing out of volunteer crew member

Lifeboats News Release

Following years of hard work and commitment, Abbie Shipley-Gordon has completed her training plan and is now a fully trained member of the Longhope lifeboat crew.

RNLI/Mary Harris

Abbie and her husband Richard aboard RNLB Helen Comrie

Approximately three years ago, Abbie and her husband Richard, also a Longhope lifeboat volunteer crew member, moved from Kent to Hoy in pursuit of a new life. Wanting to give back to the community, Abbie joined the lifeboat crew. Over the years, Abbie has dedicated her own time to the lifeboat, attending formal training courses and regular exercises. To qualify as a trained volunteer crew member, Abbie undertook a comprehensive training programme that covered a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to, deck skills, first aid, pyrotechnics, search and rescue, and navigation. She was required to demonstrate competency in all these areas. Abbie successfully met the required level of competence and, we are proud to announce, has now officially passed out.

Abbie, one of five female crew members, said, ‘The lifeboat is such a big part of our community, and it seemed a great way to get involved. I’ve always liked helping people and learning new skills, and joining the crew gave me the opportunity to do both. I feel proud to be a member of the lifeboat, especially one in such a small community.’

Longhope lifeboat station now boasts twenty-six dedicated crew members, including five coxswains, four mechanics, one trainee coxswain, three trainee mechanics, three navigators, four trainee navigators, and six trainee crew members.

Coxswain Scott Johnston says, ‘We’ve now got twenty-six crew members here in Longhope, which is impressive considering we are an island of only around 450 people. It’s great to see Abbie’s hard work and commitment paying off as she joins the ranks as another fully qualified volunteer crew member. Well done, Abbie!’

Notes to editors

· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874 and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Longhope Lifeboat Station (rnli.org)

RNLI media contacts

Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07703 688066, [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/Vicky Mackinnon

Abbie onboard RNLB Helen Comrie

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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