Aith RNLI plays its part in Tall Ships celebrations
The crew - and vessel - of the Aith lifeboat took part in the recent community celebrations to welcome the Tall Ships Races back to Shetland.
Aith's Severn class lifeboat - the Charles Lidbury - was on hand to welcome some of the first arrivals to the Sail Yell festival at the Cullivoe Pier. There, the public had the opportunity to enjoy guided tours of the lifeboat and ask the crew about their voluntary work with the RNLI. This was a continuation of a longstanding historical tie between Aith RNLI and the fishing community of Cullivoe, which for many years invited the lifeboat to an annual summer gala.
Later in the week, groups of sail trainees taking part in westside bus tours were also given the chance to look around the vessel and the UK's most northerly lifeboat station in Aith to give them a better understanding of our community and it's maritime traditions.
Aith lifeboat coxswain John Robertson said:
"We are lucky to crew a lifeboat in such a nautically minded community as Shetland, which still understands and respects its connections to the sea - as well as the work of the RNLI. The return of the Tall Ships Races created a real buzz around Shetland, and it was nice to have the Aith lifeboat playing its part in these community celebrations.
"Thank you to all the event organisers who thought to include our volunteer crew."
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 142,700 lives.
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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.