150th anniversary of Stromness RNLI is celebrated

The crowds turned out in Stromness yesterday, Sunday, to mark the 150th anniversary of the RNLI Lifeboat station being established in the town.

To mark the occasion, Stromness lifeboat was joined in the harbour by Thurso lifeboat, the present day Longhope lifeboat, and the Longhope Lifeboat Museum lifeboat Thomas McCunn.

Also in Stromness harbour for the occasion was the OIC Marine Services pilot boat John Rae and the local tug Harald, which provided a spectacular backdrop with its water cannons on full power as the lifeboats lined up for the crowds on the piers.

The event was officially opened by local retired seafarer Captain Willie Mackay, who praised the RNLI and highlighted memorable rescues carried out by the station.

On Sunday as well as the visits of the lifeboats, which were open to the public, there was musical entertainment on the stage in the Town House garden throughout the day, and lifeboat guild fundraising stalls at the pierhead.

Stromness Lifeboat operations manager Stewart Taylor said that he very much thanked everyone who took part in the day, and came along to enjoy the event.