These pages are dedicated to the 'Part Time Heroes' of the Barra Island all-weather lifeboat.

"With courage, anything is possible"

Motto of Sir William Hillary, Founder of the RNLI

FAILTE

(Welcome)

Click on thumbnail above for larger picture.

Some notes about the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

The RNLI has provided the lifeboat service for Great Britain and Ireland since 1824, and its boats can reach any point up to 50 miles off the coast. There are more than 200 lifeboat stations and their lifeboats launch more than 5000 times a year, saving on average 1300 lives. They are manned by highly trained volunteer crews, and every penny required to maintain the service is raised from voluntary contributions. The Institution is proud of its independent status as a registered charity, but works closely with HM Coastguard and other organisations to provide a co-ordinated sea rescue service.

Modern lifeboats are sophisticated vessels and range from high speed inflatable inshore lifeboats to 17m all-weather boats. The larger all-weather boats are capable of high speed in atrocious weather, are self-righting after a capsize and are fully fitted with modern navigation, location and communications equipment.

The Isle of Barra Lifeboat

The new Barra Island Lifeboat - Severn Class - is an outstanding craft. She was officially named the RNLB 'Edna Windsor' on 24th April 1999. I had hoped to post some pictures of the event but unfortunately (due to a major camera failure) all my photos did develop. I hope to obtain a record from an alternate source in the near future. Watch this space.

The following pages show the arrival of 17-12, being met by the outgoing (Arun Class) RNLB Ann Lewis Fraser (52-41) at Castlebay, Isle of Barra, Western Isles, Scotland. A picture of RNLB Ann Lewis Fraser can be seen at the top of this page (as photographed by Ronnie MacNeil from a Coastguard helicopter during a joint exercise).