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Tobermory RNLI Stalwart Tony ‘Kiwi’ responds to 200th shout

Lifeboats News Release

Tobermory RNLI stalwart and Deputy Second Mechanic, Tony ‘Kiwi’ Spillane responded to his 200th ‘shout’ on Tuesday 3 September 2024.

Tobermory RNLI Deputy Second Mechanic Tony ‘Kiwi’ Spillane

RNLI/Sam Jones

Tobermory RNLI Deputy Second Mechanic Tony ‘Kiwi’ Spillane

Tony, who is from New Zealand originally, was responding along with other members of the volunteer lifeboat crew to the report of an AIS ‘man overboard’ alarm at the pontoons at Lochaline.

Tobermory RNLI’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat was launched shortly after 1800. On arriving at the scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew established that the Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team had found that a lifejacket ‘man overboard’ had been activated accidentally on a yacht and then switched off. Tobermory RNLI’s volunteer crew returned to the station where the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service.

Tobermory RNLI’s Station Coxwain David McHaffie said: ‘Man overboard beacons are an excellent piece of safety kit because they immediately alert the Coastguard. It is important, however, that if they are activated by accident that the Coastguard is informed immediately’.

Tobermory RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Dr Sam Jones added: ‘To have responded to his 200th ‘shout’ is a tremendous achievement for Tony Kiwi. Tony has been a lynchpin of our station for the last 11 years, not only because of his dedication and commitment as shown by the fact he has responded to 200 call outs, but also because he mentors new crew and is a key member of our team of mechanics who ensure that our lifeboat is well maintained and ready for service. Tony exemplifies the volunteer ethos of the RNLI and it is so appropriate that in the RNLI’s 200th year, he has been part of 200 rescues, changing, and in some cases saving the lives of people he has never met’.

RNLI Media Contacts

Dr Sam Jones, Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager/Lifeboat Press Officer, 07747601900, [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

Tobermory RNLI Deputy Second Mechanic Tony ‘Kiwi’ Spillane

RNLI/Sam Jones

Tobermory RNLI Deputy Second Mechanic Tony ‘Kiwi’ Spillane
Tobermory RNLI Deputy Second Mechanic Tony ‘Kiwi’ Spillane

RNLI/Sam Jones

Tobermory RNLI Deputy Second Mechanic Tony ‘Kiwi’ Spillane

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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