Extra daylight a big help for Stromness RNLI volunteers

Yesterday (Monday 27 March) at 4pm , Stromness RNLI lifeboat - Violet Dorothy and Kathleen - was called to immediate readiness and asked to wait for 12 coastguards to assemble from Kirkwall, with 12 Stromness coastguards having already made the short crossing to Moaness Pier, Hoy, on the scheduled sailing of the ferry - MV Graemsay.

The Kirkwall team were dropped at Moaness to help with the land-based search while the lifeboat continued out of Hoy Sound to conduct search lines between St John's Head and the Old Man of Hoy. Having completed a sweep the lifeboat moved a little further off-shore each time to do another run.

At 6pm, the coastguard reported the casualty had been found on the island and transferred to hospital by helicopter. Violet Dorothy and Kathleen returned to pick up the Kirkwall coastguards for the trip back to Stromness. She was back on her berth, fuelled and ready for service again by 7pm.

It was a relief for all concerned that the whole operation could be completed in daylight. Searching for a person on a dark island is difficult enough but at sea night searches are a real challenge. Thank you and well done to all concerned.

Notes to editors

· Stromness RNLI Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1867. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/stromness-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Richard Clubley, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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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 over 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 142,200 lives.