By Anna Carlton, RNLI
ON SATURDAY September 6, the new state-of-the-art Stonehaven RNLI Lifeboat Station will be officially opened with a ceremony for invited guests, after months of fundraising and construction.
The Stonehaven RNLI inshore lifeboat, Jamie Hunter, will also be officially named at the ceremony.
Local volunteers at the lifeboat station have worked tirelessly to raise an incredible £135,167 towards the £1.2million required to complete the required work for the new lifeboat station.
Peter Esson, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Stonehaven RNLI, said: ‘’We cannot thank the local community and our supporters enough for all their support over the last few years as we’ve worked towards this new state-of-the-art lifeboat station.
‘‘The new lifeboat station allows us to conduct training sessions in dedicated training areas, with no compromise on space and storage for kit, spare parts and fundraising materials. When we’re tasked on a shout and bring casualties back to the station, we’ll be able to offer them a more comfortable recovery space and showers to warm up in.’’
Paul McKeown, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead, said: ‘’The new Stonehaven RNLI Lifeboat Station has been created by adapting an existing building in Stonehaven harbour into a modern lifeboat station under one roof. As well as the improved facilities for the lifeboat and volunteers, there is now also space to welcome visitors to learn more about the RNLI and water safety.
”We can’t thank everyone enough who supported this vital project and helping to save more lives at sea.’’
Work began on the lifeboat station in 2024. The new station features training rooms, briefing room, crew breakout area, kitchen, changing and shower facilities, along with a large boat hall housing the lifeboat and its launching tractor and trailer, all under the same roof.
Additionally, Stonehaven RNLI will now have a new permanent shop for fundraisers to raise vital funds for the station’s lifesaving work.
Peter added: ‘’For the last 10 years, the volunteer crew have been launching to rescue from a makeshift lifeboat station, so this new station is hugely beneficial in so many ways.’’
Stonehaven RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Jamie Hunter, will also be named at the ceremony. Since the lifeboat arrived at the station in December 2019, it has responded to 67 shouts, aiding 44 people and saving a life in the process.
Feature image – Jamie Hunter shows its speed off Dunnottar Castle