RNLI Arbroath Lifeboat

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Arbroath, Scotland
RNLI Arbroath Lifeboat

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Our mission is to save lives at sea, our goal is to stop drowning. https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Arbroath/stations

We do this through water safety education, operating search and rescue lifeboats and operating beach lifeguards.

28/10/2026

Remembering the Arbroath Lifeboat Disaster – 27 October 1953 💙

Yesterday, our volunteer crew gathered to remember the six brave men of the Robert Lindsay who tragically lost their lives while on service 73 years ago, on 27 October 1953.

While responding to a call for help in stormy seas, the lifeboat capsized, claiming the lives of:

• Coxswain David Bruce
• Mechanic Harry Swankie
• Bowman Thomas Adams
• Crewmen William Swankie, David Cargill and Charles Cargill.

Yesterday afternoon, our volunteer crew had planned to launch and lay a wreath at sea in their memory. However, with the stormy conditions, the decision was made not to launch.

Instead, the volunteer crew walked around the harbour to the Heads, where they held a quiet moment of reflection to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice before offering a wreath to the sea in their honour.

Their courage, dedication and selflessness will never be forgotten. Their legacy lives on in every launch, every rescue and every volunteer who continues to serve our community here at Arbroath today.

We will remember them. 💙

RNLI

23/10/2026

👏Tier 1 Pass Out for Lee! 👏

Wednesday evening saw Lee take on his Tier 1 pass out aboard our Atlantic 85, June Marshall and successfully pass his assessment!

The assessment puts our crew through their paces, demonstrating key skills including anchoring and veering, towing, mooring and berthing, and locating and assisting a casualty.

It also tests their confidence and overall capabilities at sea, alongside their local knowledge and ability to provide casualty assistance.

Next up for Lee is working towards his Tier 2 qualification as he continues to develop his skills on the Atlantic 85.

A fantastic achievement for Lee and another step forward in his RNLI journey. Well done, Lee! 💪👏

22/10/2026

👏 Another milestone for Cammy T! 👏

Yesterday afternoon saw Cammy undertake his Atlantic 85 Navigator pass-out assessment, testing both his theory and practical skills.

From chart work and kit limitations to using RADAR, AIS and our electronic navigation systems, the assessment puts his navigational knowledge to the test, including route plotting and high-speed search scenarios, all while keeping the crew and boat safe.

We’re delighted to say Cammy has passed!

Already a D-Class helm, Cammy can now progress through his Atlantic 85 helm plan and work towards qualifying on our B-Class lifeboat, June Marshall.

A massive well done, Cammy! Your hard work and dedication are paying off. Keep it up! 👏👏

14/10/2026

🚤⛑️Shore Crew Training – More Than Meets the Eye! ⛑️🚤

When you think of the RNLI, you probably picture our lifeboats heading out to sea. But what happens behind the scenes to get them ready to launch?

Last night, our boat crew took part in some shore crew training, focusing on our Atlantic 85, June Marshall, and learning more about the vital role our shore crew play.

The training covered:

•PPE, roles and responsibilities – making sure everyone knows how to stay safe and what’s expected of them.

• Getting shipshape – ensuring June Marshall is properly closed up and ready for the boat crew to take over.

• Plant training – learning to operate the winches used to launch and recover the boat.

• Emergency procedures – knowing what to do if things don’t go to plan.

When our pagers sound, it takes a whole team to get our lifeboats on the water. Our shore crew work hard behind the scenes, in all weathers, to help make every launch and recovery happen safely.

Every role matters, and training together helps us understand each other’s responsibilities and work as one team when it matters most.

Did you know how much goes on behind the scenes before our lifeboats even reach the water?

26/09/2026

🚨 MULTI-AGENCY SEARCH OFF ST ANDREWS 🚨

Last Saturday saw our volunteer crew tasked to a multi-agency search off St Andrews.

Following a call from a member of the public to HM Coastguard regarding a kite surfer who had been seen struggling to get back onto their board, our volunteers were paged alongside our colleagues at Broughty Ferry Lifeboat - RNLI Station.

Our Atlantic 85, June Marshall, launched and made her way to the search area.

On arrival, Broughty Ferry located and recovered the kite, but there was no sign of the person. With the possibility that the casualty could still be in the water, both lifeboats began systematic search patterns across the area, while an HM Coastguard helicopter was also tasked to assist.

As daylight faded and the search continued, RNLI Anstruther Lifeboat Station was also tasked and joined the operation.

After several hours and multiple search patterns, our crew returned to station to refuel and carry out a crew change, ready to return to the search if required.

Thankfully, while this was happening, HM Coastguard received a call from the kite surfer confirming that they were safe and well.

All units were subsequently stood down.

A huge well done to all the volunteers involved and to everyone who worked together throughout the search.

It was another reminder of the importance of our multi-agency approach and the vital role played by volunteers across the RNLI and Coastguard.

Thank you to everyone involved.

26/09/2026

🚨 2 SHOUTS IN 2 DAYS 🚨

It’s been a busy couple of days for our volunteer crew, with two shouts in just 48 hours.

📟 Wednesday evening

The sound of the pagers going off saw our volunteers quickly spring into action.

Our Atlantic 85 ‘June Marshall’ was launched and the crew made their way just outside Arbroath Harbour to a paddleboarder in difficulty.

Once on scene, the casualty and paddleboard were quickly recovered and brought safely back to the station.

On arrival, our crew were able to check over the casualty before handing them into the care of Coastguard.

While that was happening, our boat and shore crews got straight to work washing down the June Marshall and getting her ready for service again.

📟 Thursday evening

Just 24 hours later, the pagers sounded again this time for a kayaker in difficulty along our cliffs.

Our D-class ‘Mintybell’ was launched and the crew made their way to the casualty.

Once located, one of our crew members was put ashore at the base of the cliffs to help secure the casualty and assist with getting them safely aboard, while also securing the kayak.

The casualty was brought back to Arbroath Lifeboat Station, where our volunteer boat and shore crews were waiting.

They were helped to warm up, attended to for their injuries and, of course, provided with a much-needed hot cuppa.

Meanwhile, our D-class crew headed back out to recover the kayak.

Once everyone was safely back at the station, our volunteers got to work once again washing down the boat, carrying out the necessary checks and making sure Mintybell was ready for her next shout.

After receiving the appropriate casualty care and warming up, the casualty was handed back into the care of their friend, with further medical attention advised if required.

Two very different incidents, two different boats, but the same outcome:

20/09/2026

🚪⚓ Angus Doors Open Weekend ⚓🚪

Last weekend saw us throw open the doors of Arbroath Lifeboat Station as part of the Angus Doors Open Weekend — and what a fantastic couple of days it was!

Over the two days, our volunteer crew welcomed members of the public into the station, giving visitors the chance to have a look around and find out more about our RNLI inshore lifeboats, our D Class ‘Mintybell’ and B Class Atlantic 85 ‘June Marshall’.

Our volunteer fundraising team were also kept busy, opening the shop for longer so our visitors could pop in, have a browse and hopefully find themselves a little RNLI something to take home.

Across the weekend we welcomed an amazing 137 visitors through our doors… and even more if we count all the four legged visitors who came along too!

And although this was a free event, the generosity of those who visited us certainly didn’t go unnoticed.

£295 was donated to our station by members of the public, along with a record-breaking amount raised through our shop over the two days!

We honestly cannot thank everyone enough.

Every penny raised helps support our station from the vital kit and equipment our volunteers rely on, to training and everything else that goes on behind the scenes to keep an RNLI lifeboat station running.

From our volunteer fundraisers, shore crew, boat crew, launch authorities, trainers, mechanics and everyone else who plays their part — your support helps us keep doing what we do.

As we head into the colder months, we’ll be getting busy behind the scenes working on more events and plans for the months ahead.

But you don’t have to wait too long to see us again!

📍 Next Sunday you can find our gazebo at Rossfest at Arbroath Cricket Grounds, with a variety of things to see and buy, plus some of our volunteers on hand for a chat and to answer any questions you might have.

Come along and say hello!

Thank you once again to everyone who opened our doors with us, visited, donated, shopped and supported our volunteers.

From all of us at Arbroath Lifeboat Station — thank you! ❤️

03/09/2026

🚤🎇Tuesday night training — and a few VERY bright signals! 🎇🚤

Tuesday night saw our volunteer crew out training, with both our lifeboats launched and plenty happening around the station.

After some harbour exercises and local knowledge training, both boats headed towards the cliffs to carry out some flare training.

Meanwhile, back at the station, our shore crew were busy putting our new recruits through their launching and recovery training. We also had one of our newly qualified shore crew members starting their plant machinery training, getting some valuable experience on the winches that launch and recover our boats.

It might look like a lot of activity on a training night, but every part of it has a purpose. These evenings allow our volunteers to hone their skills, share knowledge and work together, so that when those pagers sound, we can operate as one team.

Now for the important bit… the flares!

If you see a red flare being fired from the coast or out at sea, your first thought should be DISTRESS.

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

And that is exactly what happened on Tuesday night.

Because we were carrying out planned flare training, we had already liaised with the Coastguard and they were aware of what we were doing. Despite this, they received three separate calls from members of the public who had spotted the flares.

And do you know what?

They did exactly the right thing.

The Coastguard was able to quickly establish that the flares were part of our training and not a genuine emergency.

We even received a call directly into the station that evening — and fortunately, because it was training night, we had a station full of volunteers who could deal with it.

One important thing to remember: our lifeboat station is an unmanned station.

So if you see something that concerns you, don’t wait for someone to answer the station phone or wonder whether we’re already aware.

📞 Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

They can then assess the situation and, if necessary, task and page us.

A false alarm is far better than a missed emergency.

So to everyone who saw those flares and made that call on Tuesday night…

Thank you. You did the right thing. 👏

02/09/2026

A huge thank you to the Arbroath Festival of Heroes for their incredible £5,000 donation to RNLI Arbroath! 🌊⚓

Founded eight years ago to celebrate local volunteers, emergency services, and service personnel, the Festival of Heroes has left a remarkable legacy in our town. Though the foundation has now wrapped up, its organisers are ensuring that community spirit lives on by sharing the remaining funds with local causes.

This generous £5,000 gift directly supports our volunteer crew with the vital kit and training needed to keep our coastal waters safe. 💙

Special thanks to organisers Jamie Buchan and Colin Galloway for their incredible generosity and continued support of our lifeboat station over the years!

26/08/2026

🚑 CASUALTY CARE EXERCISE 🚑

Last night was all about casualty care for our volunteer crew, with both our boat crew and shore crew putting their skills to the test in a series of realistic scenarios.

Before the fun began, the crew got stuck into a bit of general station housekeeping and upkeep before mechanic and boat crew Derek gave everyone a briefing on what the evening had in store.

We then split into groups, with our newer recruits getting hands-on practice with stretchers and fracture straps, while our more experienced crew refreshed and maintained those all-important casualty care skills.

Then came the real test…

After a full scenario briefing from Derek, Helm Cammy and our Head Launcher, the crew headed down to get changed and launched our D-class lifeboat.

SCENARIO 1 — ROCKS & RESCUE

The boat crew were tasked with safely manoeuvring the D-class into the rocky areas, locating our trusty training casualty and carefully transferring them into a stretcher.

Once back alongside, the casualty was brought to the slipway where our shore crew took over, safely transferring them from the boat and into the station.

SCENARIO 2 — BEACH CASUALTY

Meanwhile, another team headed to the beach where one of our crew became the casualty complete with a suspected broken leg.

This scenario brought our boat and shore crews together to assess the casualty, provide the appropriate care and prepare them for extraction using our PS1 stretcher.

And just when everyone thought they were finished… SWAP! 🔄

The groups changed scenarios, giving everyone the opportunity to put the skills they’d learned into practice and experience both sides of the operation.

Because when the pager sounds, there’s no rehearsal.

The casualty won’t be a training dummy, the conditions won’t be controlled, and there won’t be a second chance to get it right.

That’s why nights like this matter.

Huge well done to all our volunteers who got stuck in, learned, refreshed and supported each other throughout the evening. Every training session helps make us better prepared for the moment we’re needed for real.

Address

Arbroath
DD111PD

Telephone

+441241873235

Website

https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/arbroath-lifeboat-station, https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Arb

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