RNLI Celebrates 200 Years

As we celebrate the 134^th anniversary of the Forth Bridge, the RNLI is today celebrating 200 years of lifesaving, an anniversary formally recognised by UNESCO.

We are delighted to share this day of celebration and thankful for the services of our local station in keeping us safe on the water.

The South Queensferry Lifeboat Station opened in 1957 and is one of the busiest inland lifeboat stations in Scotland. The crew have received three awards for gallantry.

Last year, the station recognised Thomas Robertson MBE for 50 years of service. Thomas’s experience on a call out to the Switha illustrates the skills and bravery required of lifeboat volunteers.

The weather conditions were treacherous, a force 8 gale wind was blowing, there was a large swell and it was snowing heavily, greatly reducing visibility.

In the early hours of 21 January 1980, the fishery protection vessel Switha ran aground on rocks in the Firth of Forth. The weather conditions were treacherous, a force 8 gale wind was blowing, there was a large swell and it was snowing heavily, greatly reducing visibility. With three crew members on board, the lifeboat launched to the emergency call.

Constantly battered by heavy waves, by the time they neared Inchcolm Island one of the lifeboats’ engines was flooded with water and cut out. They managed around half a mile further before the second engine also cut out. Attempts to restart the engines were unsuccessful and the crew found themselves in grave danger, in the middle of the shipping channel, at risk of serious harm themselves. A helicopter had also been on route to the stricken Switha but was delayed.

Quick thinking, experience and ingenuity saw the three crew take the foil blankets, used for keeping casualties warm, and wrap them around the A frame of the lifeboat to create a sail. They then managed to sail the lifeboat back towards the lifeboat station making it as far as Hound Point Oil Terminal where they were then towed by another vessel to Port Edgar as it was not safe to land at Hawes Pier with the weather conditions. The crew of ‘Switha’ were eventually rescued by helicopter.

Thomas and the two other crew members received letters of thanks from the RNLI for their bravery shown during the rescue operation.

Not to be deterred, Thomas continued with crew duties for another seven years before taking on the role of Deputy Launch Authority and Honorary Secretary (now known as Lifeboat Operations Manager), overseeing the move from the old station to Hawes Pier. He is now the Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group providing leadership on all station matters.

In October 2023, Thomas was presented with a long service award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to saving lives at sea.

Receiving the award he said “I am proud to have served for a quarter of the Institutions existence, I have seen a lot of change and progress and feel the organisation is in a good place going into its 200th year. The training, the facilities and the equipment are second to none and the fact that it remains a voluntary service funded entirely by donations after all this time is incredible.’

The Queensferry Lifeboat Station plays an essential role in keeping people safe on the water. In 2022, the lifeboat launched 64 times and saved two lives. 

For 200 years, RNLI volunteers have counted on kindness. Please support the next chapter of their work by visiting the South Queensferry RNLI Shop on Hawes Pier, shopping the 200 range or making a donation.