RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat

07/10/2026

We're pleased to introduce our new full-time Station Technician, Cammy Barron, who has recently started in the role previously known as mechanic 🤩 🛠 🛟

Originally from Stornoway, Cammy was a member of the Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team, and has worked previously for CalMac Ferries in a shorebased role. He trained as a Police Officer, based initially in Stornoway before he transferred to Lerwick.

In November 2025, Cammy joined Lerwick Lifeboat as one of the volunteer crew, and has taken part in regular training and callouts since. He successfully applied for the full-time role as Station Technician and started in the role in late July this year.

Cammy is now based full-time at Lerwick Lifeboat Station, working alongside Coxswain Stephen Manson. Together, they ensure that the volunteer crew and Severn-class All-Weather Lifeboat maintain operational readiness.

The role as ‘technician’, previously known as mechanic, now recognises that lifeboats have electrical, navigation and other technical systems. Cammy will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and repairs on the lifeboat, as well as many items of search and rescue equipment, such as lifejackets and search lights. Cammy will be supported by specialist RNLI technicians when necessary.

Cammy passed his Tier 2 competency assessment last week, with fellow crew member Ryan Leith. Both are now fully trained members of the lifeboat crew, having completed a structured training programme over recent months, and passed a series of theory and practical assessments, ashore and afloat.

Every launch requires a mechanic to be present among the crew, and the full-time station technician will fulfil this role when necessary. Other volunteer crew have also completed ‘afloat mechanic’ training, to be able to monitor the engine and systems, and to keep the lifeboat operational during a callout.

Cammy will spend next week at the RNLI College in Poole in Dorset, completing a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (‘MCA’) approved training course on marine diesel engines. He’ll complete other specialist courses, alongside regular on-station training in the coming months, before sitting an RNLI technical assessment next year.

John Angus, Lifeboat Operations Manager at RNLI Lerwick, said: “We’re delighted to have Cammy join us as our Station Technician. It’s a role that is vital to the running of the station – supporting our volunteer crew and ensuring that the lifeboat is always ready for service.

“The cost of Cammy’s training – and those of all our crew – are paid for entirely by donations, fundraising and legacies, and we’re grateful to all those who continue to support the RNLI to help us save lives at sea.”



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

02/10/2026

It’s Shetland Wool Week and Shetland is currently hosting hundreds of wool enthusiasts from around the world 🌍 🤩

Thanks to Jamiesons of Shetland for not only their kind words, but also some suggested wool colours for any RNLI themed winter knits 🧶

Great suggestion - we love it 👏 🌊 🧡

Winter in Shetland can be wild - days of gale force winds, lashing rain and mountainous seas.

In recent weeks our incredible have been subjected to a dreadful online campaign. This is a charity, funded entirely by public donations, crewed by volunteers risking their lives to save vessels and people who find themselves in distress at sea.

While this photograph has a wonderfully dramatic colour palette, it also demonstrates the appalling conditions our local crews can face when called out, taken by Ryan Leith Photography we include here his account of this particular call out -
"At 1350 on Thursday 19th October 2023, Shetland Coastguard requested RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat to launch on service to assist Danish fishing boat "Westbank" which was taking on water 60 miles east of Shetland. Coxswain Stephen Manson and crew made best speed into an ESE gale to the vessel's position. As the "Westbank" was experiencing engine problems, the Lifeboat took the casualty under tow and headed back towards Lerwick, arriving in the harbour at 0825 on Friday 20th October - over 18 hours at sea. A great service by the crew of the Lifeboat."

We would like to thank the and all their volunteers for their bravery and dedication in providing this essential service for all those who need it and encourage people to continue to support them.

Colours from left to right: 470 Pumpkin, 104 Natural White, 127 Pebble, 122 Granite, 315 Heron & 123 Oxford

30/09/2026

Our crew launched this afternoon to go to the aid of a nine-metre yacht taking in water and in difficulty, around 14 nautical miles east of the island of Whalsay.

The Norwegian-registered yacht, with one person on board, had earlier sailed west across the North Sea from Bergen. With deteriorating weather, and strong SE winds and sea swell picking up during the day, the yacht was taking in more and more water.

By early afternoon, the lone yachtsman aboard had issued a ‘Pan-pan’ radio message, requesting assistance from any vessels in the area. The Måløy-registered fishing trawler 'Hargun' and UK fisheries protection vessel 'Hirta' both responded to the radio call.

At the request of HM Coastguard, lifeboat crew were paged at 2.30pm and had launched the lifeboat by 2.40pm. In rough seas, the Severn-class All Weather Lifeboat made an average speed of around 23 knots, reaching the stricken yacht around 4pm.

The volume of water aboard the yacht was such that the skipper then made the decision to abandon ship. 'Hargun' stood by and provided some shelter from the worst of the winds, while the lone sailor was transferred from the deck of the yacht onto the lifeboat.

The lifeboat then took a route back to Lerwick harbour, passing west of Whalsay where sea conditions were more sheltered.

The lifeboat returned to Lerwick harbour at around 5.30pm where the uninjured yachtsman was passed into the care of the waiting Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat was then refulled and made ready for next service.

By early evening, the abandoned yacht was last thought to be drifting east of Out Skerries.

Weather conditions were south-easterly F7-8, near gale to gale force winds with heavy sea swell; and an air temperature of 13 degrees.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Today’s weather has seen Shetland beaten by the first gales of the Autumn and sea conditions for any small vessel have been challenging. The skipper of this yacht was right to call for assistance when his vessel was taking in water, and then made the right decision to abandon ship when he knew that the vessel was lost. The most important thing is that he’s made it safely back to land.”

📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

27/09/2026

Earlier today, our lifeboat crew went to the aid of a 15-metre yacht, after a mast broke as it rounded Sumburgh Head.

The Czech-registered yacht with seven persons on board, had travelled overnight from Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands and was rounding Sumburgh Head this morning, on its way to Lerwick Harbour.

In strong winds, a mast had broken and the skipper of the yacht had issued a ‘Pan-pan’ radio message to request assistance from any nearby vessels.

At the request of HM Coastguard, our crew were paged at 9.25am and launched within fifteen minutes, into a strong southerly breeze. Despite heavy sea swell, the lifeboat averaged around 23 knots, taking about an hour to reach the stricken vessel at 10.45am, one nautical mile east of Compass Head.

Sumburgh Airport’s Fast Rescue Craft had also launched from nearby Grutness Voe to provide assistance, arriving on scene at the same time as the lifeboat.

The crew of the yacht made the broken mast and rigging safe, and after assessing the situation, it was decided by that a tow by the lifeboat was necessary. Our crew established a tow line, and took the vessel at a steady five to six knots to Lerwick harbour.

The yacht was brought alongside a safe berth on Victoria Pier at around 2.45pm. The lifeboat was then refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Winds were southerly throughout, a steady Force 7, with a sea swell of three to four metres. The air temperature was 12 degrees Celsius.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Weather conditions today have been challenging with a stiff southerly breeze. If winds had shifted, this disabled yacht was at risk of being blown ashore onto rocks near Sumburgh Head. We were pleased to be able to reach the vessel in good time and to then take her under tow, safely into Lerwick Harbour for repairs.”



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

11/09/2026

We were pleased to welcome John Harper and his partner Mary Morris aboard our Severn-class lifeboat today, while on their visit to Shetland 😊

John is volunteer lifeboat crew at the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue - Station 31 Brentwood Bay, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia 🇨🇦

RCMSAR provides a volunteer marine rescue service on the lakes, inland waterways and the Pacific Ocean coast of British Columbia 🛟

29/08/2026

Huge thanks to Captain Andy O'Brian and all the staff at NorthLink Ferries for such a wonderful trip around Bressay and Noss on 'MV Hrossey' earlier today 👏⛴ 🤩 We were so pleased to see so many adults and children aboard, and we hope everyone enjoyed the day 🥳

We're grateful again to Lerwick Lifeboat Fundraising Crew for their tireless fundraising efforts, and to our volunteer crew who joined us either on the lifeboat on the Hrossey today 🙏

The RNLI receives no government funding and we rely on fundraising, donations and legacies to train and equip our volunteer crew 🛟 We couldn't save lives at sea without you - thanks for your support 🧡



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

27/08/2026

We’re delighted that so many folk have bought tickets for this Saturday’s ‘Round Bressay’ fundraising trip, on MV Hrossey - thanks to NorthLink Ferries 👏 ⛴️

Please remember that check in for the trip will be between 9.45am-10.30am, for a prompt departure from Holmsgarth Ferry Terminal at 11am 🕚 The trip will be around two hours’ duration, with a return expected at 1pm 🕐

After the trip, our Severn-class All Weather Lifeboat ‘RNLB Michael and Jane Vernon’ will be berthed at Victoria Pier until mid-afternoon. The lifeboat and lifeboat station will both be open for anyone to come and visit, take a look around and to meet some of our crew 🧡

See you on Saturday - and thanks for all your support! 🙏

18/08/2026

Earlier this evening, our crew went to the aid of a 15-metre workboat north of Lerwick harbour after the vessel had contacted HM Coastguard to ask for assistance.

The workboat, with two crew on board, was around one nautical mile north-west of the Green Holm, a rocky islet used as a navigation aid and which marks the northernmost limit of Lerwick Harbour. The crew had contacted HM Coastguard to report gearbox problems.

Our crew were paged at 6.00pm and soon launched the lifeboat, setting off north through Lerwick harbour, and reaching the vessel within 30 minutes.

After assessing the situation, the Coxswain decided that a tow was necessary and lifeboat crew quickly established a tow line, taking the vessel at a steady five to six knots to Lerwick harbour. The workboat was brought alongside a safe berth in the Morrison Dock by 7.30pm.

Winds were easterly and onshore throughout, a steady Force 3-4, with an air temperature of 11 degrees Celsius.

The lifeboat then returned to the Small Boat Harbour to swap crew for a planned training exercise with a local fishing vessel at Mair’s Pier, to practice casualty care and extraction using a stretcher. After the exercise, the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Our volunteer crew are always on call to respond to a request to launch. We were able to reach this workboat quickly this evening, taking her under tow and to a safe berth almost within the hour, and fortunately in good time to complete our crew training session too.”



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

17/08/2026

Saving Lives At Sea is BACK! 🛟 🌊🤩

📺 BBC2 & BBC iPlayer
🕗 8pm
📅 Tuesday 18th August

🌊 **Saving Lives at Sea is BACK!** 🌊

We’re thrilled to announce that **Series 11** of *Saving Lives at Sea* starts **Tuesday 18th August at 8pm on BBC Two**! 🚨

Once again, we’ll be alongside the incredible volunteers of the RNLI as they face some of the most challenging rescues around the UK - from dramatic callouts at sea to the quieter moments that show just what it means to be part of a lifeboat crew.

**Real rescues. Real people. Extraordinary volunteers.**

📺 **Saving Lives at Sea**
🗓️ **Tuesday 18th August**
⏰ **8pm**
📍 **BBC Two & BBC iPlayer**

Get involved, spread the word and join us for another series celebrating the incredible people who **Save Lives at Sea.** 🌊🚤

07/05/2026

Huge thanks to the staff of the Gurkha Kitchen in Lerwick for hosting a superb fundraising meal for us last night 🍛👏

Attended by over fifty friends, family and supporters, as well as some of our crew, the event raised over £600 to help us save lives at sea 🤩

Thanks to Lerwick Lifeboat Fundraising Crew for organising the tickets and a raffle 🎟️ 🧡👏

The RNLI receives no government funding and we rely on fundraising, donations and legacies to help train and equip our crew 🌊 🛟