
RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat plans reunion for former crew and volunteers
Former crew and volunteers connected to Lerwick Lifeboat Station are invited to a reunion event, as part of the local celebrations for the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary.
The event aims to bring together anyone involved with Lerwick Lifeboat to share memories and experiences, either as lifeboat crew or as a volunteer in any capacity. The invitation is extended to close family members too, recognising the vital support of families over the years and the connections they may also have had with the station.
Anyone who may have any old photographs, particularly of crew or volunteers, or other memorabilia is welcome to bring them along.
A lifeboat has been stationed in Lerwick since July 1930 – firstly the 51ft ‘Barnett-class’ lifeboat RNLB Lady Jane and Martha Ryland until 1958, when the lifeboat RNLB Claude Cecil Staniforth then took up service for 20 years. In 1978, she was replaced by the ‘Arun-class’ lifeboat RNLB Soldian, before the arrival in 1997 of the current ‘Severn-class’ All-Weather lifeboat RNLB Michael and Jane Vernon.
The RNLI was founded on 4th March 1824, following the vision of Sir William Hillary, who had witnessed many shipwrecks in the Isle of Man, for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea. In 2024, a series of events have taken place across UK and Ireland to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. The charity now operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including RNLI Lerwick and RNLI Aith in Shetland.
The reunion event will take place at the Masonic Hall on Church Road, Lerwick on Sunday 17th November 2024 from 2pm with a formal welcome at 3pm. Hot drinks and snacks will be provided and attendance is free, although donations to the RNLI are welcome.
John Webster, Branch Chairman of RNLI Lerwick, said: “2024 has been a memorable year for the RNLI and we’re keen to bring together all those who have had a connection to the Lerwick Lifeboat Station. We know there have been many friendships made and memories created over the years.
“With this reunion event, we’d like to celebrate and thank everyone for their contribution, whatever role they may have had. The RNLI has evolved over the years with new boats and new technology but our purpose remains the same as it was 200 years ago – to save lives at sea.”
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.