RNLI Oban Lifeboat Station

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RNLI Oban Lifeboat Station

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Oban Lifeboat Station is one of the busiest All-Weather Lifeboats in Scotland, the first ALB to make over 100 launches in a year.

Oban (gaelic – “an t-Oban” little bay) is a thriving town of 9,000 on Scotland’s west coast. Oban lifeboat station is relatively young, having been founded in 1972. Since then, it has become the busiest of the 44 lifeboat stations in Scotland and one of the busiest All-Weather Lifeboats (ALB) in the United Kingdom – the first ALB to make over 100 launches in a year. Its record of service reflects the diverse nature of Oban lifeboat’s activities averaging around 60 call-outs per year.

30/10/2026

Lifeboat fundraisers’ thank you

Oban Lifeboat says it has had a bumper fundraising year, raising more than ever before to help fund its lifesaving operations thanks to the generosity of local people, visitors and businesses.

The RNLI shop hosted by CalMac in the Oban ferry terminal broke previous records with September income only just falling short of the sales and donations during July – the height of the tourist season where Oban hosted the Clipper Race.

Volunteer shop manager Iain says all forecasts have been blown away:

“2026 has been an extraordinary year. We managed to open the shop more days than before and it has really paid off.

“As well as setting up on the North Pier during the Clipper Race, our volunteers have also been out at a host of meetings and events where the response has been overwhelming.

“Even September and October, when things usually get quieter, have been busy with lots of people who are going through the CalMac terminal making a point of coming into the shop and saying hello and wanting to talk about the work of the lifeboats.”

The lifeboat shop will continue to be open from 9am to 3.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday and Saturday from now until the weekend before Christmas.

Meanwhile , the Oban RNLI Waves and Wildlife calendar and RNLI Christmas cards are also available at McCaigs Warehouse in Oban.

23/10/2026

Shellfish growers’ generosity

Oban Lifeboat is hugely grateful to the organisation representing the shellfish sector for another generous donation at their annual gathering in the town.

The 40th Anniversary of the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers (ASSG) was marked by a two day conference in the Corran Halls and a celebration dinner and awards.

For many years, ASSG members have designated the RNLI as their chosen charity at their annual conference. Fundraising for the lifeboats throughout the event culminated in a Prize Draw, with prizes from across Scotland donated by members and sponsors.

In the picture, Oban Lifeboat coxswain Ally (right) receives a cheque from ASSG chief executive Nick Lake alongside senior station technician, Tom.

17/10/2026

Lifeboat called next door

Oban Lifeboat launched shortly before 11pm last night (Friday) at the request of Stornoway Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to investigate an automatic distress call detected in Oban Bay.

The first report of an AIS Man Overboard (MOB) alert came from a ferry, with the signal appearing to be coming from the vicinity of the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) pier immediately west of the lifeboat berth.

The volunteer crew of the 13-50 The Campbell-Watson immediately commenced an investigation using a combination of AIS tracking and direction-finding equipment. Through progressive triangulation of the signal, the source of the AIS MOB alert was narrowed down to a location highly likely to be within a compactor skip on the pier.

To ensure that there wasn’t someone in distress, a search of the immediate area was conducted, paying particular attention to the water surrounding the pier and adjacent shoreline. No casualties, persons in the water, or other indications of anyone being in difficulties, were identified.

With the Coastguard Rescue Team and NLB staff continuing investigations ashore, Stornoway Coastguard stood down the lifeboat which returned to station.

This was a false alarm with good intent.
Library picture: Stephen Lawson/RNLI

13/10/2026

One incident becomes two

Oban lifeboat launched this morning to help a person injured on a sailing vessel, only to be asked to help another casualty while at sea.

The volunteer crew of Oban’s Shannon class lifeboat 13-50 The Campbell-Watson were paged just after 11am today (Tuesday) to go to the aid of person with a serious hand injury on a vessel off Kerrera.

The crew met up with the vessel, which was sheltering in heavy seas behind Bach Island southwest of Kerrera, and transferred two casualty carers aboard to assess the person’s injuries.

The lifeboat then moved away due to the poor sea state.

While waiting for further information from the crewmembers aboard the sailing vessel, a jet ski working with the sailing vessel to support wind foilers in the area approached with a second person onboard who had an injured ankle, seeking assistance. That person was transferred across onto the lifeboat to be joined a short time later by the casualty from the sailing vessel and the two crew members who had been giving initial treatment.

Both injured people were then taken to Oban and transferred into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

(Library Image: Stephen Lawson/RNLI)

12/10/2026

Becalmed yacht

Shortly after 6pm yesterday evening (Sunday), Oban Lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard to go to a yacht with two people and a dog on board, becalmed off Lismore with mechanical failure.

On scene, with no immediate danger to the people on board and an offshore breeze keeping them away from the shore, but with the light failing, a lifeboat crew member was transferred across.

The crew member managed to restart the engine and the volunteer crew of 13-50 The Campbell-Watson then shadowed the yacht for a time until everyone was happy that the yacht could proceed without further help to Dunstaffnage.

23/09/2026

Women in Search and Rescue

Oban Lifeboat deputy mechanic Lawrie and crew member Imogen joined 40 other women at the weekend for the Scottish Women in SAR (search and rescue) event hosted this year by Dunbar and Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat stations, and St Abbs independent lifeboat.

In all, women from 24 lifeboat stations came together for a weekend afloat on four local lifeboats combined with shore-based exercises, training and guest speakers.

The initiative is the second of its kind in Scotland, after an inaugural event in Inverness last year.

Launched in 2019 by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), Women in SAR (WISAR) is a global movement open to all lifeboat and sea rescue crews that seeks to attract more women into maritime search and rescue roles.

In the pictures by Chris Mason (Chris’ lifeboat quest) and Richard Ellis (A view from My Camera): Imogen (left) and Lawrie; a group photo, and the Dunbar’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat John Neville Taylor.

05/09/2026

Lifeboat crew called to Ganavan

Oban lifeboat was tasked shortly before 7pm last night (Friday) to investigate reports from a member of public of an unknown black object in the water off Oban's Ganavan beach.

On scene the volunteer crew conducted a search and an unmanned autonomous survey vessel was observed working in the area.

The Coastguard Rescue Team on the shore spoke to the first informant and confirmed that this was the object they had seen.

The crews stood down and returned to station.

This was a false alarm with good intent. If you see something in the water that you are concerned about, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Library photo: John Macgill/RNLI

27/08/2026

Tom sails through key training milestone

Congratulations to our colleague Tom Brook who has successfully completed his Tier 1 passout with flying colours.

Completing Tier 1 involves a series of tests conducted by experienced senior colleagues to assess a seagoing crew member’s skills and knowledge gained during over a year of training.

During a period at sea Tom was asked to demonstrate his skills as a crew member during launch, anchoring, mooring and berthing, as well as towing, helming, VHF communications, locating and assisting casualties and recovering someone from the water.

In the photo by Andy Lockwood/RNLI, Tom Brook (right) is congratulated Oban’s Senior Station Technician (lead mechanic) Tom Kennedy.

08/08/2026

Call to yacht in Sound of Mull

The volunteer crew of Oban Lifeboat were paged shortly before 2.30pm this afternoon (Saturday) to go to the aid of a dismasted yacht to the South East of Ardtornish point in the Sound of Mull.

Once on scene two lifeboat crew transferred across onto the casualty yacht to help the three people on the yacht to recover their mast, rigging and sails from the water.

With everything brought back onboard and secured, the yacht’s engine and steering were checked and, once it was clear that the yacht could safely carry on under its own power, the crew of The Campbell-Watson escorted them back to Oban.

Wee postscript: On return to base nearly four hours after the original tasking, the crew were delighted to find a generous basket of pies and sausage rolls donated by longtime lifeboat supporter, Iain Darling Butchers. Thank you!

Iain Darling Butchers trading as I Wynne & Son
Image: Stephen Lawson/RNLI

07/08/2026

Lifeboat called to yacht with engine failure

Oban lifeboat was tasked just after 1.20pm today (Friday) to assist a 40ft yacht in difficulties 4 nautical miles North of Oban.

The yacht had lost one engine, and their other engine was in danger of overheating.

The volunteer crew of Oban’s Shannon class lifeboat, 13-50 The Campbell Watson rendezvoused with the yacht which managed to enter Oban Bay under its own power, and escorted the vessel and its crew to Kerrera marina until the yacht was safely secured alongside the pontoons where the engines could be examined by the team from Kerrera Marine Services.

Library picture: Stephen Lawson/RNLI

Address

Railway Pier
Oban

Website

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

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