A new state-of-the-art lifeboat station has officially opened in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, following months of fundraising and construction, marking a significant enhancement in emergency maritime response capacity for the region. The launch, celebrated with an opening ceremony on September 6 for invited guests, represents the latest investment in lifesaving infrastructure by the RNLI, a charity whose volunteers offer a 24-hour search and rescue service across the UK.
The volunteers of Stonehaven RNLI gathered along with invited guests from the local community, fellow rescue services and more to formally open the new Stonehaven RNLI facilities and name a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat.
Stonehaven’s new RNLI station arrives in response to longstanding local demand for improved coverage along the rugged Aberdeenshire coast. The region previously relied on volunteer crews operated by the Maritime Rescue Institute (MRI), which ran a local lifeboat service for more than three decades before its closure due to funding challenges in 2013. The MRI had completed over 500 rescue operations and was integral to maritime safety in the area, leaving a notable gap in coastal emergency services.
RNLI representatives had previously assured the community that while coverage was maintained by larger all-weather lifeboats based in Aberdeen and Montrose, an inshore lifeboat stationed at Stonehaven would provide much-needed agility and local knowledge, enhancing the charity’s capacity for coastal rescue missions.
The project was supported by a dedicated local fundraising campaign aimed at raising £50,000, contributing to a broader RNLI national appeal of £900,000. Volunteer recruitment remains critical for the station’s ongoing operation, with a full crew complement required to ensure readiness for search and rescue missions 365 days a year.
Stonehaven’s commitment to lifeboat operations dates back to 1854, when the Kincardineshire Lifeboat Association first stationed a vessel in the harbour. The new RNLI station continues this legacy, equipped with modern facilities designed to meet current rescue and training needs, supported by the local community’s strong tradition of volunteering and maritime expertise.
Leanna Lakes, RNLI Chief Operating Officer and Director of Regions, accepted the handover of the new station and lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI.
She commented: “It was an extraordinary day for the RNLI, and I felt deeply honoured to attend and accept the handover of both the new station and the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI.”
“The new facility is truly remarkable, and I am immensely proud of the dedication and commitment of all the volunteers at Stonehaven. They truly embody the values and spirit of the RNLI.”
Peter Esson, Stonehaven RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “The lifeboat is an outstanding lifesaving asset, and it is an honour and a privilege for us to have such a lifeboat. We have an extremely professional and dedicated crew and I know that when the crew heads out to sea, we all have peace of mind that this lifeboat will keep them safe.”
