RNLI Dunbar Lifeboats

30/08/2026

We’re looking for a volunteer branch box collector In Dunbar.

It’s an important role that helps our volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew save lives at sea by carrying out vital collection box fundraising activity in our community.

For more information please follow this link:

You will enable volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews to save lives at sea by carrying out vital collection box fundraising activity in your local community.

29/08/2026

Our Dunbar RNLI volunteers had a whale🐳 of a time today at RNLI Eyemouth Lifeboat gala day.

The crew spotted not one but two minke whales on the way to Eyemouth. The gala was well underway when the crew arrived.

Thank you for to the people of Eyemouth for their support. We even managed to have a quick tour of Eyemouth’s Shannon class lifeboat.

As a charity RNLI relies on the support and donations from the public and gala days are a great fundraising opportunity and a good day out.

Photos Nicola Allen and Alexander Williams.

27/08/2026

Ding D**g! Mer-welly on high!

It might still be summer but it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas ... especially if it means a fantastic night of fun, live music from Jamie Chapman and a disco.

Come and join us for the ...

DUNBAR RNLI CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT
The Royal British Legion
Saturday 28th November
7pm until late.

Tickets are £15 (which includes nibbles)
To book tickets please follow this link

https://tr.ee/Qppr0yJUp7

Please note:
On the email please specify how many tickets you would like to purchase.
Tickets to be paid for on collection
Collection details to be confirmed soon
Over 18s only.

(Yellow wellies optional)

23/08/2026

📟 Shout! 📟

Dunbar’s lifeboat volunteers were called out today after a 20m motor yacht got caught in creel lines two miles northeast of Torness Power Station.

After HM Coastguard paged for assistance at 1.45pm, the all-weather lifeboat 'John Neville Taylor' launched from Dunbar Harbour and was on scene 30 minutes later. The family on board had been travelling from Holy Island, Northumberland, to Edinburgh as part of a round Britain trip when their propeller and rudder became entangled, leaving the vessel snared and unable to steer.

After assessing all available options, coxswain Gary Fairbairn advised the skipper how to cut his boat free before setting up a tow to bring the yacht into Dunbar Harbour.

As the lifeboat neared the harbour entrance, the crew brought the larger vessel alongside ahead of the delicate transfer through the narrow harbour entrance. The yacht was safely berthed at 4pm, with the crew none the worse for their ordeal.

It was the second call out in 48 hours and the fourth in ten days for the Dunbar volunteers and Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian Wilson said: ‘It’s been a busy and varied few days for our lifeboats and the crews have responded brilliantly, particularly today when it was wonderful to watch the skills of coxswain Gary and his crew confidently bringing two big boats through a relatively small gap into the harbour.’

If you get into trouble on the water dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Crew: Gary Fairbairn, Chris Woods, Alistair Punton, Jamie Forrester, Adrian Lavery, Kai Lavery, Douglas Wight
LAs/shore crew: Fiona Kibby, Denholm Horsburgh, Ian Wilson, Ian Combe, Dave Anderson, Ed Scaman, Eldon Woods

22/08/2026

📟 Shout! 📟

Dunbar’s lifeboat volunteers came to the aid of a fishing boat that suffered engine failure near the town’s harbour yesterday (Friday 21 August).

After the alert was raised at around 3.15pm, the crew launched the all-weather lifeboat ‘John Neville Taylor’ from Dunbar Harbour and was on scene by 3.30pm. The two-man crew of the 7m boat had been out fishing for an hour when they broke down about half a mile north of the harbour.

After assessing all available options, Dunbar deputy coxswain Gordon Mackay decided to tie the vessel alongside and tow it back to the harbour. The boat and its crew were safely moored in the harbour by 4pm.

If you get in trouble on the water call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Crew: Gordon Mackay, Alan Blair, Chris Woods, Adrian Lavery, Kai Lavery, Douglas Wight
LAs/shore crew: Fiona Kibby, Denholm Horsburgh, Ian Wilson, Ian Combe, Dave Anderson, Gerard McPhillips, Alistair Punton, Eldon Woods, Jay Kirkland

17/08/2026

A huge thanks to everyone who turned up and fished the Dunbar Fishing Competition, with £2,000 raised split between Dunbar RNLI and Dunbar Harbour.
The Dunbar RNLI team went out with Trevor on Andara had a good day. Congratulations to everyone who won prizes and special congratulation to junior crew member Morris for taking home some prizes in the junior competition.

16/08/2026

We were pleased to be part of the Heart of Dunbar Festival Fun Day yesterday.

Unfortunately we couldn't be part of the parade, as our lifeboat crew was called out for the third time this week.

But Neil and Jay, from our water safety team, were there to let people know about the RNLI and the work we do as the charity that saves lives at sea.

Earlier, our all-weather lifeboat 'John Neville Taylor' was part of a multi-agency operation near North Berwick, that also involved RNLI North Berwick Lifeboat and RNLI Anstruther Lifeboat and the Coastguard helicopter.

If you see anything suspicious on or near the water call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Crew: Gary Fairbairn, Alistair Punton, Gordon Mackay, Andrzej Hajduk, Ed Scaman, Alex Williams
LAs: Gerard McPhillips, Ian Wilson, Ian Combe, Denholm Horsburgh

15/08/2026

Dunbar RNLI is urging people to think twice before tombstoning after a teenager was seriously hurt jumping into the harbour from height on Thursday (13 August).

The boy injured his leg after plunging into the water at around 6.30pm. The volunteer crew were about to launch on a training exercise when the alarm was raised.

They launched the inshore D class lifeboat 'David Lauder' and quickly found the boy, who had managed to get himself out of the water, on steps near the harbour entrance.

The volunteer crew assisted paramedics by helping the boy onto the lifeboat and brought him ashore where he was transferred to the waiting ambulance.

Dunbar RNLI lifeboat helm Laura Kirkham said: ‘Tombstoning, or cliff jumping, into the harbour might seem like fun but there’s always a danger of hidden rocks and unknown depths that can result in serious life-changing injuries and even death. As tempting as it is to cool off in hot weather, we’re urging people to think before they jump.

‘The bystanders did the right thing in flagging us down for assistance while waiting for the Scottish Ambulance Service.’

The incident was the second in 24 hours for the Dunbar lifeboat crew and the first for recently passed-out helm Laura. On Wednesday (12 August) the volunteers were paged at 11.15pm by HM Coastguard after a report that someone was in distress in the harbour. After launching and finding nothing untoward the crew was stood down at 12.25am.

Laura added: ‘The few seconds of thrill that come from tombstoning can lead to consequences that last a lifetime, not only for the individual involved but also for their family, friends and those who witness or respond to the incident.’

After handing the casualty over to medics, the volunteer crew returned to their exercise.
Upon competition of the exercise the lifeboat was refuelled and readied for its next emergency.

Crews:
Thursday:
ILB: Laura Kirkham, Andrzej Hajduk, Alex Williams
Tractor/LA/shore crew: Gerard McPhillips, Denholm Horsburgh, Ian Combe, Gina Holt, Kai Lavery, Kayla Rutherford, Jay Kirkland, Ross Hancock

Wednesday:
ILB: Jamie Forrester, Andrzej Hajduk, Alex Williams, Douglas Wight
Tractor/LA/shore crew: David Koch, Ian Wilson, Ian Combe, Denholm Horsburgh, Fiona Kibby, Gary Fairbairn, Gordon Mackay, Alistair Punton, Jodi Fairbairn, Alewyn Rens, Aaron Woods, Eldon Woods, Gina Holt, Ross Hancock.

11/08/2026

Looking forward to seeing our neighbours on the big screen this week. This episode showcases the RNLI North Berwick Lifeboat volunteer crew rescuing a kayaker last July. We will be watching!👀

📺TV appearance alert ‼ BBC Two's Saving Lives At Sea returns on Tuesday 18 August, 8pm, and our volunteers Tom and Matt feature in the first episode!

Viewers will get a crew's eye view of the rescue of a capsized kayaker last July, along with rescues from Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat, RNLI Dungeness Lifeboat Station and Scarborough Lifeboat Station.

A strange quirk in BBC Two's Scottish programming means that you may not be able to watch us live on TV, but you can via BBC iPlayer, live or on demand.

Series 11 of the fantastically popular documentary series has 10 action packed episodes following our lifesaving volunteers as they tackle challenging rescue missions around the UK and Ireland.

Through onboard footage, interviews with crew members and those they’ve rescued, and narration from Steven Mackintosh, the show highlights the dangers posed by the sea and the incredible bravery of RNLI volunteers.

📷: Phil Broadhurst/Blast Films

Will you tune in?

08/08/2026

Dunbar Lifeboat Station is delighted to announce that our Lifeboat Fete last month raised an incredible £21,000 for the - the charity that saves lives at sea.

The record takings from the event on Saturday 11 July are an increase of £3,000 on last year’s total and a remarkable £10,000 up on the amount raised three years ago.

Dunbar RNLI Fundraising Committee chair Veronica Davies said: ‘I am completely overwhelmed and astounded that we managed to raise such a fantastic total. We cannot thank enough everyone from the Dunbar community and beyond who attended the fete and helped Dunbar RNLI continue our lifesaving work. It is truly humbling to see how people turn out to support their lifeboats every year.’

Thank you to everyone who came on the day and supported Dunbar RNLI - you're all lifesavers!

For more details please follow the link in the comments ...




(Photo: Richard Ellis)