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Another whale encounter for Longhope lifeboat’s volunteer crew

Lifeboats News Release

Wednesday evening is training night here in Longhope, and yesterday was no different. However, this time, the volunteer crew had some unexpected company in the form of a pod of Orca.

On 17 July 2024, our volunteer crew was aboard the RNLB Helen Comrie, conducting a routine training session in Scapa Flow, when they encountered a large pod of at least six Orca. The Orca, believed to be from the 19 and 65 pods, regularly frequent the area and had been tracked by locals throughout the day as they made their way through the Pentland Firth into Scapa Flow.

Orca are regularly seen in the Orkney Islands, where they feed in the surrounding seas, although not usually this close up. The RNLB Helen Comrie was operating in Hoy Sound, between Stromness and the island of Graemsay, when the crew spotted the Orca in the distance. To their delight, the animals approached the lifeboat and treated those onboard to a spectacular display of tail-slapping and swimming under the boat.

The Longhope volunteer lifeboat crew has been fortunate to experience a few such encounters, but our volunteers never tire of seeing these majestic and beautiful creatures in the wild.

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/Graham Campbell

Orca Encounter

RNLI/Scott Johnston

Orca in Hoy Sound

RNLI/Scott Johnston

Orca spotted from 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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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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