RNLI Loch Ness

26/10/2026

It's been a busy year for our crew who have been working hard on their training plans, and we have even more pass-outs to celebrate!

Georgia Archer, Madison Archer-Rayner and Aron Rayner recently passed their Tier 2 Lifeboat Assessments and Grace Woolmer passed the Tier 1 Lifeboat Assessment.

The Tier 2 assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that certifies crew members as fully competent, whilst the Tier 1 assessment is an important milestone that tests a newer crew member’s practical ability and knowledge to ensure they can operate safely during real incidents.

A huge congratulations to Georgia, Grace, Aron and Madison for their hard work and dedication!

22/10/2026

It's never too early to talk about Christmas! 🧑‍🎄🎄

Thank you to Stratherrick Public Hall for arranging a Christmas Fayre in aid of the RNLI on 21 November. Save the date for gifts from local makers, refreshments and great raffle prizes!

CHRISTMAS FAYRE. All funds raised will be donated the the RNLI

02/10/2026

Last month, our volunteer Navigator Rachel spent a weekend at the RNLI's Women in SAR Scotland event which was hosted at lifeboat stations in Eyemouth, Dunbar and St Abbs.

The event brought together 42 women from 24 lifeboat stations across Scotland for two days of afloat exercises, skills workshops and shared learning.

Rachel said: "I had an amazing time at the Women in SAR event. The organisers pulled together a brilliant weekend, and connecting with so many incredible women was an absolute highlight. I'm really grateful this initiative exists and I'm already looking forward to next year's event."

📸 1: Alex Williams
📸 2: Richard Ellis/ A View From My Camera

23/09/2026

We recently celebrated the success of four members of our volunteer crew who passed Helm and Navigator assessments after many months of hard work.

Rachel Nixseaman and John Bull successfully completed their Navigator assessments, Graham Hughes passed his Helm assessment, and Craig Turner successfully revalidated as a Helm which must be completed every five years.

As senior volunteer roles on the operational crew, both Navigator and Helm assessments require a huge amount of training and commitment over approximately 12 months.

Congratulations John, Rachel, Craig and Graham! 🥳

Read more: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/september/22/loch-ness-rnli-celebrates-four-crew-passing-senior-role-assessments

11/09/2026

The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives at sea. But recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about our purpose and our lifesaving work in the Channel.

As a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in some cases, physical abuse. This is unacceptable.

The RNLI’s people represent the very best of society. For over two hundred years they have dedicated themselves to rescuing people they’ve never met before, without judgment, fear or favour.

We are tasked by HM Coastguard to help those in distress, and we'll do so whenever, wherever and whoever they are.

We launched 9,058 times in 2025. Only 109 of those launches were to those in distress in the Channel – 1.2% of our total rescue work. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is then taken into the care of the relevant UK authorities.

To those who stand with the RNLI, thank you. For more than two hundred years, we've saved lives at sea around the UK and Ireland, and that commitment remains unchanged.

09/09/2026

On Sunday, our volunteer lifeboat crew launched following reports of capsized kayakers in Loch Ness and made their way towards Fort Augustus.

Due to changeable conditions around two nautical miles north of Fort Augustus, two kayaks had capsized resulting in four people in the water. Fortunately, a local commercial tour vessel operated by Cruise Loch Ness had reached the kayakers and rescued all four casualties by the time the lifeboat arrived. Three members of the crew boarded the Spirit of Loch Ness vessel to support the HM Coastguard paramedic who had been winched on to the vessel and the casualties who were very wet and cold.

The HM Coastguard helicopter then identified another eight kayakers stranded on the south shore of Loch Ness who had also ended up in the water whilst making their way to shore. The lifeboat diverted to locate and rescue the additional casualties and return all eight people to Fort Augustus where further paramedic crews were waiting. The lifeboat then returned to gather debris and personal belongings from the loch whilst also securing the kayaks to trees on the shoreline.

This was a challenging four-hour rescue with multiple casualties in different locations but we’re grateful to Cruise Loch Ness and HM Coastguard for their support in ensuring there was a positive outcome for all involved. We wish all casualties a speedy recovery.

25/08/2026

On Sunday, we were tasked at 21:16 to assist a 38ft yacht that had found itself in difficulty while trying to anchor in Urquhart bay and had wrapped its anchor trip line around its prop.

When we arrived on scene, a member of the crew boarded the vessel to assess the situation and check the welfare of any casualties. The yacht’s crew were concerned that the anchor wasn’t holding and the vessel had no propulsion.

We carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action and decided it was the safest option given the risks related to the casualties if the vessel was to get into further difficulties.

The crew safely towed the yacht into Urquhart Bay harbour for mooring overnight before returning to the lifeboat station. Another positive outcome for all involved!

23/08/2026

Another year, another brilliant Glenurquhart Highland Games Loch Ness!

Thank you to everyone who came to see us, donated, took part in our competitions, bought some RNLI goodies and cheered on our crew in the kit challenge and Tug O' War.

Our Tug O' War team came in an impressive third place against some tough competition! 🥳 🥉 They also kindly donated their £100 winnings to the RNLI. Well done team!

21/08/2026

It’s almost Games Day in Drumnadrochit! 💪🏆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Come and find us in Blairbeg Park tomorrow during the Glenurquhart Highland Games Loch Ness. Have a go at our fun competitions to be in with the chance of winning a bag of RNLI goodies and a visit to our lifeboat station. Try to guess the Lucky Welly or play Hunt the Welly to find eight hidden wellies in the Games field!

At 4pm, you can also cheer on our crew during the Crew Kit Challenge and guess how long it will take them to get into their kit and run to the lifeboat in the middle of the main arena! Lucky guesses could win a family ticket kindly donated by Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises.

Our water safety team and volunteer crew will also be on hand to chat about all things RNLI and answer any questions about volunteering with us. Come and say hello! 👋

20/08/2026

Last week, we joined forces with Loch Ness Cruises, Castle Cruises Loch Ness and The Beastie Boats for a special eclipse training exercise!

Multiple members of the crew rotated on the lifeboat to simulate a multi-vessel search and more than 30 of our family and friends also took part as passengers on the three tour vessels.

This was not only a valuable training exercise for the crew but also a fantastic opportunity to join forces with commercial vessels on the loch. We’re extremely grateful to Loch Ness Cruises, Castle Cruises Loch Ness and Beastie Boats for taking part in many of our training exercises and for the additional support they often offer the crew when we are tasked to callouts.

A special mention should also go to Rachel who recently passed out as an Inshore Lifeboat Navigator. She coordinated all four vessels perfectly which was no easy task!

Although the weather conditions didn’t allow for a clear view of the eclipse, the exercise was a great evening for the crew and our family and friends.

RNLI volunteers are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and without the support of our families and friends we wouldn’t be able to continue the RNLI’s vital work to save lives.