Volunteer crew members are now on stand-by 24/7 at new trial lifeboat stations at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, and Union Hall, Co Cork. The RNLI has declared both stations as search and rescue assets, with Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboats.

The two new crews had an intensive period of training at their stations and at RNLI College in Dorset to prepare them for this day. The volunteers’ enthusiasm and local support has helped the stations reach the milestone. Spirits are also high in Lough Swilly, Co Donegal, where the crew have heard they will be getting a new Shannon class lifeboat.

Meanwhile, in Somerset, fundraisers reached their £180,000 target towards the cost of a new lifeboat station at Portishead. Now the appeal has been relaunched to raise a further £52,000, which will pay for the changing facilities. The new facilities are part of RNLI plans to adopt the independent Portishead Lifeboat Trust. The RNLI will take over the lifesaving operations once the station is complete.

For more on RNLI developments nearer to you, turn over.