MayDay call - Kirkwall RNLI lifeboat crew launch their open day again
The Kirkwall Lifeboat Station crew will host an Open Day on Saturday 16 May to raise awareness of the work of the RNLI and its volunteers. We hope you will join us to make the day as successful as previous years.
The Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Station and its volunteers are a central part of the community. Although, it has not been long established like other lifeboat stations, having started in 1972, it is no less loved and revered by the volunteer crew and the people of Orkney.
When we say crew, we mean the launch authority, the boat crew and the fundraising crew; we are all one crew. We look forward to meeting and greeting visitors throughout the day from 11am – 3pm.
Crew members will be on hand to show people round the lifeboat and share water safety messages. We will be accompanied by fellow emergency services and the Orkney Rowing Club.
The Open Day is a great family day out with games, tombola and a raffle; there is also a cake stall and hot food provided by Pablo’s Grill. You can listen to the skirl of the bagpipes while enjoying a sweet treat.
If you could not join us for Brew with the Crew, then this is a great chance to meet the crew and donate to the RNLI and the Kirkwall Lifeboat Station. We are a charity who rely on fundraising so that we can keep saving lives at sea.
Sonia Smith, Chairperson RNLI Kirkwall Lifeboat Fundraising Branch, said: ‘It takes a lot to organise the Open Day each year, but it is worth it. People are so generous with their time and money; it is a big team effort. The support we receive from the community is overwhelming.’
Notes to editors
Kirkwall Lifeboat Station is located within the Scotland lifesaving region. A total of 36 lives were saved in 2024 by lifeboat crews in Scotland and a further 881 people were aided by the brave and selfless actions of volunteer crews.
You can also make donations at the lifeboat shop on Kirkwall Pier or online, visit RNLI.org/donate. Your donations help save lives at sea; 6 in 10 lifeboat launches are possible thanks to supporters leaving us a gift in their will, visit RNLI.org/legacy.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Erica Niven, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.