Donate now

SAMS divers join Oban RNLI Team

Lifeboats News Release

Nine students from SAMS have joined the fundraising team for Oban lifeboat.

A group of new fundraisers from SAMS joined by members of the team

RNLI/Stephen Lawson

L-R Standing: RNLI team members Frances Beveridge, Harry McMaster, Iain Paul, Fiona Campbell, Clare Bailey, Mike Palmer and Lachie Beaton. New recruits L-R Sitting: Chloe Ghibaudo, Isadora Jalil, Kate Crowley, Jamie Nethaniel, Merlin Farrell and Aiden Davie.

The group were motivated to sign up following a water safety talk by Oban Coxswain Ally Cerexhe and a presentation by fundraiser Iain Paul at an event hosted by the Highland & Islands Sub Aqua Club, the student diving club based at SAMS.

Welcoming the new members to the monthly fundraisers’ meeting at Oban lifeboat station, Iain looked forward to a busy year ahead:

'We are delighted to be joined by so many new members as we prepare for a busy programme of fundraising events in the coming months and well into next year.

'With a new lifeboat arriving in December and 2024 being the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI, we look forward to celebrating with the local, coastal, island and maritime communities our lifeboat serves.'

The students marked the occasion by handing over a cheque from a bake sale organised by the diving club.

If you are interested in joining the fundraising and community outreach team for the RNLI in Oban, send an email to [email protected] to get more information.

SAMS is the Scottish Association for Marine Science, centred at the Scottish Marine Institute at Dunstaffnage by Oban.

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact:

John Macgill Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Oban RNLI on 07711 548672 or email [email protected]

Stephen Lawson Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Oban RNLI on 07776 340629 or email [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, Regional Media Officer (Scotland), on 07826 900639 [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Manager (Scotland), on 07920 365929 or [email protected]

RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]


SAMS student Merlin hands over a cheque to Treasurer Lachie.

RNLI/Stephen Lawson

Merlin Farrell presented Oban RNLI Treasurer Lachie Beaton with the proceeds from a bake sale organised by the Sub Aqua Club at SAMS.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

Categories