RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat

29/08/2026

Huge thanks to Captain Andy O'Brian and all the staff at NorthLink Ferries for such a wonderful trip around Bressay and Noss on 'MV Hrossey' earlier today 👏⛴ 🤩 We were so pleased to see so many adults and children aboard, and we hope everyone enjoyed the day 🥳

We're grateful again to Lerwick Lifeboat Fundraising Crew for their tireless fundraising efforts, and to our volunteer crew who joined us either on the lifeboat on the Hrossey today 🙏

The RNLI receives no government funding and we rely on fundraising, donations and legacies to train and equip our volunteer crew 🛟 We couldn't save lives at sea without you - thanks for your support 🧡



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

27/08/2026

We’re delighted that so many folk have bought tickets for this Saturday’s ‘Round Bressay’ fundraising trip, on MV Hrossey - thanks to NorthLink Ferries 👏 ⛴️

Please remember that check in for the trip will be between 9.45am-10.30am, for a prompt departure from Holmsgarth Ferry Terminal at 11am 🕚 The trip will be around two hours’ duration, with a return expected at 1pm 🕐

After the trip, our Severn-class All Weather Lifeboat ‘RNLB Michael and Jane Vernon’ will be berthed at Victoria Pier until mid-afternoon. The lifeboat and lifeboat station will both be open for anyone to come and visit, take a look around and to meet some of our crew 🧡

See you on Saturday - and thanks for all your support! 🙏

18/08/2026

Earlier this evening, our crew went to the aid of a 15-metre workboat north of Lerwick harbour after the vessel had contacted HM Coastguard to ask for assistance.

The workboat, with two crew on board, was around one nautical mile north-west of the Green Holm, a rocky islet used as a navigation aid and which marks the northernmost limit of Lerwick Harbour. The crew had contacted HM Coastguard to report gearbox problems.

Our crew were paged at 6.00pm and soon launched the lifeboat, setting off north through Lerwick harbour, and reaching the vessel within 30 minutes.

After assessing the situation, the Coxswain decided that a tow was necessary and lifeboat crew quickly established a tow line, taking the vessel at a steady five to six knots to Lerwick harbour. The workboat was brought alongside a safe berth in the Morrison Dock by 7.30pm.

Winds were easterly and onshore throughout, a steady Force 3-4, with an air temperature of 11 degrees Celsius.

The lifeboat then returned to the Small Boat Harbour to swap crew for a planned training exercise with a local fishing vessel at Mair’s Pier, to practice casualty care and extraction using a stretcher. After the exercise, the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Our volunteer crew are always on call to respond to a request to launch. We were able to reach this workboat quickly this evening, taking her under tow and to a safe berth almost within the hour, and fortunately in good time to complete our crew training session too.”



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

17/08/2026

Saving Lives At Sea is BACK! 🛟 🌊🤩

📺 BBC2 & BBC iPlayer
🕗 8pm
📅 Tuesday 18th August

🌊 **Saving Lives at Sea is BACK!** 🌊

We’re thrilled to announce that **Series 11** of *Saving Lives at Sea* starts **Tuesday 18th August at 8pm on BBC Two**! 🚨

Once again, we’ll be alongside the incredible volunteers of the RNLI as they face some of the most challenging rescues around the UK - from dramatic callouts at sea to the quieter moments that show just what it means to be part of a lifeboat crew.

**Real rescues. Real people. Extraordinary volunteers.**

📺 **Saving Lives at Sea**
🗓️ **Tuesday 18th August**
⏰ **8pm**
📍 **BBC Two & BBC iPlayer**

Get involved, spread the word and join us for another series celebrating the incredible people who **Save Lives at Sea.** 🌊🚤

15/08/2026

Our crew this morning went to the aid of a 14-metre Dutch-registered yacht which had lost its mast 27 nautical miles east of Bressay.

The yacht, with six persons on board, had left Lerwick yesterday afternoon (Friday) heading south east across the North Sea. Early this morning, the mast had snapped leaving the vessel unable to make good progress at sea and the yacht skipper had contacted HM Coastguard to ask for assistance.

Our volunteer crew were paged at 3.36am and had launched the lifeboat by 4am. Making good speed in calm seas the lifeboat reached the stricken vessel just after 5am, around the time of sunrise.

Two lifeboat crew were put aboard the stricken vessel to assist the crew of the yacht to secure the broken mast, and to cut loose rigging and sails.

Once the vessel was made safe, the skipper of the yacht began the return voyage to Lerwick harbour under engine power, with the lifeboat standing by to provide an es**rt. The two lifeboat crew stayed aboard the yacht in case any further assistance was needed.

The lifeboat and yacht made steady progress at around five to six knots, reaching Lerwick harbour just before 1pm. The yacht berthed safely on a pontoon at Victoria Pier and the lifeboat was then refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Winds were westerly to south westerly, light breeze F2-3, with an air temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Seeing the main mast fail must have been a difficult situation for the crew of this yacht to experience. They are fortunate that no one was injured and that the hull of the vessel appears largely undamaged.

"The skipper did the right thing by contacting the Coastguard when they needed assistance. We’re glad to see the crew safely in harbour now, to carry out repairs to their vessel before they set off again.”



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

10/08/2026

We're delighted to say that due to the demand, there's only a few tickets left for the trip around Bressay on MV Hrossey on 29th August. If you do miss out, you're welcome to visit the Lifeboat and the Lifeboat Station which will both be open to visitors after the cruise.

Once again, we'd like to thank NorthLink Ferries for their fantastic support!

06/08/2026

Good safety advice for paddleboarders anywhere 🏄 🛶 🌊

05/08/2026

We're very pleased to announce that the popular 'Round Bressay' fundraising trip on board NorthLink Ferries ‘MV Hrossey’ will take place on Saturday 29th August 2026 🤩

Tickets will be £12 for adults and £6 for children (infants free). Tickets are now on sale - either in person at Northlink Ferry Terminal, Lerwick (or at Kirkwall or Aberdeen too) or by telephoning 0800 111 4422 ☎️

Check in for the trip will be between 0945-1030hrs, and MV Hrossey will depart from Holmsgarth at 1100hrs for a return at 1300hrs ⛴

There will be live music, souvenirs and a raffle on board, with a chance to enjoy views of Bressay and the specactular cliffs of Noss during the two-hour voyage 🥳

Huge thanks to NorthLink Ferries for their continued support 👏And to Lerwick Lifeboat Fundraising Crew for all their help 🥰

The RNLI receives no government funding and we rely on fundraising, donations and legacies. All proceeds from this trip help to train and equip our crew, so that we can save lives at sea 🧡

30/07/2026

Our crew yesterday went to the aid of a 13-metre UK-registered yacht in difficulty around 45 nautical miles east of Bressay.

At the request of HM Coastguard, our crew were paged at 11.38am and had launched the lifeboat by 12 noon.

The yacht was heading west from Norway, and the two crew on board had contacted HM Coastguard to report they were in difficulty.

The 250-metre crude oil tanker 'MV Jaarli' which had recently left Sullom Voe oil terminal had also stood by in the area, to assist with radio communications while the lifeboat made its way to the yacht’s location.

The lifeboat reached the vessel at 1.50pm and made contact with the yacht crew. It was soon established that the yacht was making good progress without need for immediate help. The crew of the yacht crew continued their voyage towards Shetland making around four to six knots, with the lifeboat standing off to accompany them and provide any assistance if it was needed.

The yacht and lifeboat both returned to Lerwick harbour around 9.45pm and the yacht made its own way to a pontoon on Victoria Pier. Lerwick Lifeboat was then refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Winds were westerly to south westerly, initially F5 and falling lighter later in the afternoon, with an air temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain: “We’re pleased that this yacht and the two crew aboard were able to make their own way safely into Lerwick harbour. There was a good sea swell and things could have ended differently. The skipper did the right thing by contacting the Coastguard when they realised they might need assistance. We hope the crew have a good rest in Lerwick before they set off on their next voyage.”



📸 Credit: RNLI Lerwick

07/05/2026

Huge thanks to the staff of the Gurkha Kitchen in Lerwick for hosting a superb fundraising meal for us last night 🍛👏

Attended by over fifty friends, family and supporters, as well as some of our crew, the event raised over £600 to help us save lives at sea 🤩

Thanks to Lerwick Lifeboat Fundraising Crew for organising the tickets and a raffle 🎟️ 🧡👏

The RNLI receives no government funding and we rely on fundraising, donations and legacies to help train and equip our crew 🌊 🛟