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Stromness RNLI crew travel to Aran Islands to collect Relief Boat

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of Stromness RNLI had quite a trip to collect a relief boat.

Two, Severn Class lifeboats, either side of a pontoon by a slipway

RNLI/Richard Clubley

RNLN Beth Sell in Inishmore
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The volunteer crew of Stromness RNLI boat - Violet Dorothy and Kathleen - had a long journey, from Stromness to Inishmore in the Aran Islands, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. Car, plane, plane, taxi, coach, shuttle bus, ferry to Inishmore and, finally, collection by the Inishmore RNLI coxswain for a lift to the B&B.

One could be forgiven, on this occasion, for using the term 'remote' to describe Orkney and Inishmore. As islanders we don't, normally, use the term. 'Remote from where?' we ask. 'This is the centre of our world so how can it be remote?' True, we are some distance from the large cities but we are connected.

In Norse times, of course, Orkney was at a great cross-roads in the sea-ways between Norway, Shetland, the east and west coast of Britain and the islands to the west, such as the Hebrides, Isle of Man, Ynys Mon and Inishmore. The Vikings would sail off west in the spring, after planting their crops, and return from their plundering to harvest in the autumn.

Having plundered the fish and chip shops of Killybegs and Mallaig, out crew have retraced a Viking route with RNLB Beth Sell - the relief boat - and shown, once again, just how connected we are.

Notes to editors

ยท Stromness 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


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.

About the author

Richard Clubley
Lifeboat Press Officer, Stromness

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