RNLI Lochinver Lifeboat

13/06/2026

Massive congratulations to our full time Coxswain David. Well deserved recognition for all you have done for your community.

King's Birthday Honours 2026

The Lord-Lieutenant and the whole Lieutenancy team are delighted to congratulate David MacAskill, coxswain of the Lochinver lifeboat and a Deputy Lieutenant for Sutherland, on being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire today.

“The award of the MBE to David MacAskill is richly deserved. For over twenty years he has been a being a superb and courageous coxswain for the RNLI lifeboat at Lochinver. David MacAskill is a passionate, diligent and selfless leader. He inspires. His dedication and sense of duty is exemplary. His name is synonymous with service.”

“But David has also served the community of Lochinver more widely too. A skilled and thoughtful mechanic, he has run the sole the garage in Lochinver and, annually, plays a leading part with the Assynt Tractor Rally which has raised for charity around £10,000 every year for the last four years. Over the years he has been fireman and coastguard too. As a recognition of his service and standing in the north west of Sutherland, he was made a Deputy Lieutenant in 2024.”

Northern Times RNLI RNLI Lochinver Lifeboat RNLI Wick Lifeboat Thurso Lifeboat RNLI Invergordon Lifeboat Assynt Community Council Voluntary Groups Sutherland

12/06/2026

📟 Shout 12.06.26 📟

The Lochinver lifeboat crew were paged by Stornoway Coastguard at 15:50 after a fishing vessel requested an es**rt due to engine difficulties.

The Lochinver lifeboat launched shortly after into a fresh Southwesterly and met the vessel at the entrance to Loch Inver.

The vessel managed to get safely alongside with assistance from the lifeboat.

20/05/2026

📟 Shout 20.05.26 📟

The Lochinver lifeboat crew were paged at 15:26 after a fishing vessel suffered engine problems while departing Loch Inver.

The lifeboat departed shortly after and made best speed arriving at the vessel within 5 minutes of launching.

The vessel’s crew had deployed the anchor to stop their drift while they attempted a repair. The lifeboat crew stood by with towing equipment at the ready should it be needed.

The vessels crew were able to make a temporary repair and slowly made their way into deeper water es**rted by the lifeboat incase any further issues arose.

Once in deeper water the vessels engine was stopped again to make a permanent repair while the lifeboat stood by.
Around 40 minutes later the vessel was able to make its own way and headed to the fishing grounds.

Senior station technician Douglas Pirie said “the vessels crew did exactly the right thing in this situation, making emergency services aware and deploying their anchor as soon as they got into difficulty”

18/05/2026

Massive thank you to Inverlussa and the crew of the Gina Mary for allowing the Lochinver lifeboat crew to carry out a casualty care scenario onboard their vessel.
The lifeboat crew carried out casualty assessments and extraction techniques in a confined space.

09/05/2026

📟 Shout 09.05.26 📟

The Lochinver Lifeboat crew were paged at 12:23 this afternoon by Stornoway Coastguard after a sailing vessel made contact.

The vessel with 3POB was experiencing engine trouble North West of the Summer Isles and was in need of assistance.

The lifeboat launched shortly after and made best speed to the casualty vessel arriving 35 minutes later.

With a freshening wind the decision was made to tow the vessel to the safety of Lochinver.

The vessel was made safe alongside the Harbour pontoon, the lifeboat was then refuelled and made ready for service again.

This was also crewman Robbie Halls first shout. Well done Robbie! 📟 😎

05/05/2026

The Lochinver Lifeboat crews thoughts and deepest sympathies are with our fellow SAR colleagues from Marine Rescue New South Wales, Australia. Yesterday, six Marine Rescue volunteers from Ballina were called to save those in danger when a yacht was reported to be in difficulty. Tragically, three people lost their lives including two of the volunteers.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said “These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others”

Their death is a sobering reminder of the inherent risks faced by those who dedicate their lives to saving others at sea.

24/04/2026

01/04/2026

Due to the increased cost of fuel the Lochinver Lifeboat crew have been busy practicing their kite flying skills to allow us to respond quickly to any situation while keep costs down for the charity. On exercise we managed an impressive 18 knots with just 3 kites.

21/03/2026

📟 Shout 21.03.26 📟

The Lochinver lifeboat crew were paged at 16:00 today after receiving information about a person that had fallen and injured their leg at a beach just outside the harbour.

The lifeboat launched shortly after and was on scene within 5 minutes.

Due to the location the Y boat was launched with casualty care trained crew onboard who headed ashore to make an assessment.

It was quickly established that the casualty was in pain, required immobilisation of the injury and would need to be transported off the beach by stretcher.

The lifeboat crew administered pain relief and transported the casualty back to the lifeboat. They then made the short trip back to the station where they handed over to the awaiting ambulance crew.

The Lochinver lifeboat crew wish the casualty a speedy recovery.

09/03/2026

Lochinver Lifeboats Second Coxswain Bruce Mackenzie was presented with his 30 year long service medal after this evenings training exercise.
This Medal is recognition of Bruce’s dedication to over 30 years of Saving Lives at Sea.
Congratulations and thank you for your continued service.
Lochinver Lifeboat team.

Pictured, Coxswain David Macaskill presenting Bruce with his 30 year medal.