New Portree lifeboat officially launched at ceremony

The state-of-the-art vessel, which has been named RNLB Peter and Mary (13-59), received the traditional bell ringing ceremony at the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole on Tuesday 27 January, before being lowered into the water.

The bell ringing ceremony is a tradition upon completion of a new lifeboat, signifying the end of watch for the previous lifeboat and the start of watch for the new one.

Portree RNLI station Mechanic, John ‘Clanky’ Nicolson, attended the ceremony with Deputy Launch Authority, Peter Urquhart. RNLI colleagues and members of the public also gathered to watch the exciting moment.

A bottle of Talisker whisky, donated by the world-famous Skye-based distillery, was presented during the ceremony to help mark the launch and in appreciation of the RNLI in-house production team.

The Shannon class is the smallest and lightest form of all-weather lifeboat, being designed and built entirely in-house by the RNLI. With a top speed of 25 knots – matching the speed of current Portree Trent class lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker - it is propelled by water jets rather than propellors which offers an increased level of manoeuvrability. It has a uniquely designed hull to improve handling and efficiency when at sea, even in rough weather, including only needing 80% of its engine power to reach top speed. The Shannon class also has self-righting capabilities.

RNLB Peter and Mary will now carry out extensive sea trials to prepare her for active service. The volunteer crew of Portree RNLI are already underway with the necessary training to enable them to operate a Shannon class lifeboat.

Stuart Nicolson, Coxswain at Portree RNLI, said:

‘The RNLI volunteers and crew are very much looking forward to welcoming a new lifeboat to Portree. Training is already underway to allow the crew to transition seamlessly between Stanley Watson Barker and Peter and Mary when the vessel arrives on station. I’d like to thank them for their ongoing commitment, support and enthusiasm at what is an exciting time for us at Portree RNLI.

‘The lifeboat itself may be changing, but the lifesaving work of the RNLI charity will continue.’

Douglas MacDougall, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portree RNLI, said:

‘The bell ringing ceremony marks a very special day as RNLB Peter and Mary (13-59) is lowered into the sea for the very first time.

‘From the outset, it’s hugely important that everyone involved with the Portree RNLI lifeboat commends the staff at the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) who should all be very proud that the bell rings again. Every future rescue involving RNLB Peter and Mary (13-59) started with their skill, expertise and commitment on the built project.

‘Despite, in time, saying goodbye to our loyal servant - the Trent class Stanley Watson Barker (14-16) -which has served us well for over 30 years, we know that the new lifeboat will be an able replacement to continue to save lives around the Isle of Skye and coastline of the north west Highlands.

‘Finally, and with humble respect, the Portree RNLI crew, volunteers, fundraisers and our community are indebted to the donors whose generosity has funded this new life saving asset.’

Further details, including the story behind the name of the lifeboat and planned arrival date into Portree, will be issued in due course.

The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for over two hundred years. It relies on donations and support from the public to operate the lifesaving service that it does.

There are over 5,700 volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew members at 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, with a further 4,000 volunteer shore crew members. Our volunteers are on call and ready to respond to calls for help 24 hrs a day, 365 days of the year.

ENDS

Notes to editors

· All photos in this press release should be credited to RNLI/Nathan Williams, apart from the image labelled ‘Stanley Watson Barker’ which should be credited to RNLI/Robert MacInnes.

· Portree Lifeboat Station was established in 1991. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/portree-lifeboat-station

· The 2040 Lifeboat Fleet Strategy was published on Thursday 2 October (https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/october/02/rnli-evolving-to-meet-lifesaving-demand#:~:text=Our%202040%20Lifeboat%20Fleet%20Strategy,information%20to%20make%20these%20decisions.&text='We%20need%20to%20have%20confidence,changing%20nature%20of%20lifesaving%20demand). Through the strategy, the specific needs and capabilities required from our all-weather lifeboats have been established. This has led to the development and agreement of what the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats are there to do, which is to: respond to all-weather lifeboat demand based on risk, location, and seagoing capabilities that are outside the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat; provide cover to flank station inshore lifeboats; respond to major incidents (involving vessels over 30NM) where towing may be required; and provide lifesaving effect in relation to offshore risk (25 to 75NM).

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact:

Robert MacInnes, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI: 07950 421829 / [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland: 07826 900639 / [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland: 07920 365929 / [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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