RNLI Loch Ness

16/07/2026

With more hot weather forecast this week, the RNLI and Water Safety Scotland are teaming up to remind everyone to stay safe while enjoying the water 🌊

If you are keen to feel the cool embrace of Scottish water during the warm weather, then remember, warm air does not mean warm water. Scotland’s water remains cool when the sun would say otherwise.

Refresh yourself on how to stay safe in cold waters by learning Scotland’s Water Safety Code:

🛑Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers

👫Stay Together, Stay Close

📞 In an emergency, call 999

12/07/2026

Some of the crew recently visited SSE’s Foyers Power Station for a joint familiarisation and water safety session.

The visit included a tour of the operations and equipment, and the crew discussed potential scenarios with the SSE team and how best to coordinate a response to an incident within the vicinity of the power station.

Thanks to SSE for a great opportunity to build strong local knowledge of one of the key sites within our area of operation.

10/07/2026

On Monday 6 July, our volunteer lifeboat crew launched to assist a sailing vessel with engine failure.

We were tasked by HM Coastguard to locate a sailing vessel that had lost contact and was reportedly having engine trouble somewhere between Invermoriston and Fort Augustus.

The crew headed south towards Fort Augustus to locate the vessel and positioned the lifeboat in the middle of the loch with enough visibility to see both shorelines, which was challenging with high gusts of wind, one-metre waves and a lot of spray from the water.

As we passed Invermoriston, we heard from HM Coastguard that they had made contact with the vessel again at the same time that we located the vessel on the loch. Once on scene, we carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action to assist the casualties on board. Given the risks related to the casualties in the challenging weather conditions, it was determined that towing was the best course of action.

The vessel was towed to Fort Augustus and safely moored. We were glad to see a positive outcome for all involved before returning safely to the lifeboat station.

Four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station were tasked at 19:25 to launch the RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat and made their way towards Fort Augustus.

09/07/2026

The weather may be getting hot but inland waters and the sea are still surprisingly cold 😎🥶

Sudden exposure to water at this time of year puts you at risk of cold water shock which can seriously impact your breathing and movement. It’s very important to take the time to acclimatise when entering the water.

If you’re in trouble in the water, could save your life:

✅ Tilt your head back with ears submerged
✅ Relax and try to control your breathing
✅ Use your hands to help you stay afloat
✅ It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently

Practise floating at a supervised location, such as a swimming pool.

Remember it. Practise it. Share it. It could save you or someone you love.

20/06/2026

We had an extra crew member join us for training last night after a pipistrelle bat was discovered tucked away in one of our lifejackets!

It was taken outside on a towel then placed on a tall sign before flying off back home 🦇

15/06/2026

Today, our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch of Marine Rescue New South Wales, Australia, who tragically lost their lives in Ballina last month while serving their community.

Alongside the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) and search and rescue organisations around the world, all RNLI stations will fly the flag at half-mast on Monday 15th June in their memory.

Bill and Frank’s ultimate sacrifice is a powerful reminder of the courage, dedication, and selflessness shown every day by those who answer the call to save lives at sea. Their commitment to helping others will never be forgotten.

As we join the international search and rescue community in paying tribute, we honour not only Bill and Frank’s service but also the unwavering dedication of all maritime search and rescue personnel who put themselves at risk for the safety of others.

Rest in peace, Bill and Frank. Your service, courage, and sacrifice will always be remembered. 💙

11/06/2026

On Wednesday, we thanked The Loch Ness Experience for supporting us to raise £423.97 of donations for the RNLI at a fantastic family fun day which the team held on Sunday 31 May as part of the annual Quest event.

Visitors enjoyed a variety of retro games such as ‘Hook a Duck’, ‘Tin Can Alley’ and ‘Nessie Buzz Wire’, as well as face painting and a bottle stall. Some of our volunteer crew shared water safety advice and gave demonstrations to show how RNLI crews work together to save lives at sea.

We’re extremely grateful to the team for their generous support of the RNLI and for organising such a brilliant community event. A huge thank you to everyone who came along on the day and to The Loch Ness Experience team for their creativity and enthusiasm in raising funds for the RNLI.

05/06/2026

Last night, we ran a winching training exercise with HM Coastguard on Loch Ness. A huge thank you to Rescue 853 for allowing the crew to practise live winching to and from the lifeboat, and to Loch Ness Cruises and Castle Cruises Loch Ness for supporting our crew changes on the loch and bringing our One Crew family along to watch the crew in action.

23/05/2026

Come along to The Quest's Family Fun Day to meet some of our crew and help raise funds for the RNLI!

🗓 Sunday 31 May
⏰️ 11am - 3pm
📍 The Loch Ness Experience, Drumnadrochit

🎉 Family Funday – Sunday 31st May | 11am – 3pm 🎉

Loch Ness Experience by the Nessie Sculpture!

Join us for a fantastic day of family fun as we raise funds for the RNLI! 🚤❤️

There’ll be plenty of retro games and activities for all ages, including:
🦆 Hook a Duck
🎯 Hoopla
🥫 Tin Can Alley
🦕 Splat the Nessie
⚡ Nessie Buzz Wire
🎨 Face Painting
🍾 Bottle Stall
…and more!

We’ll also have demonstrations from the crew of the Loch Ness Lifeboat Station at 12pm and 2pm, plus the chance to meet the team from Loch Ness Exploration team.

✅ Free entry
✅ Free parking

Bring the whole family along for a fun-filled day out while supporting a great cause!

16/05/2026

Have you been taking part in the RNLI’s Mayday Mile challenge? 💛 We'd love to see how you've been getting involved!

Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every penny raised helping to make sure that the RNLI’s volunteer crews have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond.

Whether it’s walking, jogging, hopping, or skipping, every mile covered in May will help raise vital funds for the RNLI and support crews across 238 lifeboat stations.

There’s still time to sign up for the Mayday Mile, or make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, just visit RNLI.org/supportMayday