A lifeboat station was established at Macduff by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1974, although a lifeboat station in this part of Aberdeenshire has been sited in various locations locally since 1860. Supporters and volunteers treat the station as 'one', regardless of the location.[1]
The station currently operates a B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat, Skipasund (B-933), on station since 2022.[2]
History
In 1859, Capt. MacDonald, Commander of H.M. Coastguard at Banff, responded to the RNLI, who at the time were keen to place more lifeboats on the coast of Scotland. With the support of the Banff Harbour Trustees, he gained considerable support locally, and the RNLI established Banff Lifeboat Station in 1860.[3]
The station was officially renamed Banff & Macduff Lifeboat Station in 1902, although it appears to have been known by that name in most publications since 1860.[1]
In 1923, the lifeboat was relocated to Whitehills Harbour, with the name changed to Whitehills Lifeboat Station in 1924.
After 45 years, with lifeboat cover provided by Buckie and Fraserburgh, it was decided to close Whitehills lifeboat station in 1969.[1]
The decision to withdraw the All-weather lifeboat was reversed in 1974, and a station was re-established, but this time located at Macduff, and named Macduff Lifeboat Station. A twenty-year-old 52-foot Barnett-class lifeboat James & Margaret Boyd ON 913), which previously served at Stornoway for 19 years, was placed on service temporarily for one year.[4]
On a cold Saturday on 3 April 1975, a large crowd gathered at the Fishmarket at Macduff, for the official naming ceremony of Macduff's new lifeboat. The lifeboat was actually nearly two years old, and had served briefly in the relief fleet, and at Kirkwall. The lifeboat had been funded by the Douglas Currie Trust, along with other donations from the estate of the late J. J. Davidson, and a gift from the Glasgow RNLI Ladies Guild.[5]
The 48-foot 6in Solent-class lifeboat was handed to the care of Macduff lifeboat branch, accepted by George Mackay, Honorary Secretary, after which the lifeboat was named Douglas Currie (ON 1021) by Miss Caroline Currie, grand-niece of one of the principal donors.[5]
In 1984, the station closed again briefly, the All-weather lifeboat being withdrawn once again. The station was to become an Inshore lifeboat station, and the B-class (Atlantic 21) Inshore lifeboat Guide Friendship II (B-530) was placed on service in 1985.[6]
The station is currently equipped with an B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat, Skipasund (B-933), funded by a donation from the Skipasund Foundation. Skipasund was officially handed over to the RNLI and named at a ceremony at the lifeboat station on 10 June 2023.[7]
The launch & recovery system at Macduff is unique within the RNLI, being the only station where the boat is stored, launched and recovered from a mobile davit, which is essentially, a Flatbed truck with a HIAB crane.[6]
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Royal National Lifeboat Institution