RNLI Dunbar Lifeboats

RNLI Dunbar Lifeboats Lifeboats have been launching from Dunbar Harbour for over 200 years and the crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry. Thank you for your support.

Our page is an open and welcoming community of RNLI supporters and volunteers all coming together to help save lives at sea and we want to hear from you about your experiences. As a charity funded by your generosity, we welcome your feedback and are always happy to discuss any aspects of our lifesaving work. However, to ensure our page remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone, we r

eserve the right to remove comments eg those that are offensive or abusive towards others. People who post such comments may be banned from the page. Volunteers are the heart of the RNLI. We rely on more than 40,000 volunteers - on lifeboats, at stations, on beaches, and in fundraising. Some crew members and most lifeguards are full time. They work with other staff to ensure comprehensive safety coverage around our islands. The RNLI is an independent charity with a board of volunteer trustees.

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Our final Mayday Miler is Gordon, who first joined Dunbar lifeboat crew in 1996, aged 16,...
31/05/2026

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Our final Mayday Miler is Gordon, who first joined Dunbar lifeboat crew in 1996, aged 16, on the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Although he spent some years away, he has now clocked up an impressive 22 years’ service as a volunteer for Dunbar RNLI.

Currently Gordon is a coxswain and mechanic on our all-weather Trent class lifeboat ‘John Neville Taylor’ and a helm on our D class inshore lifeboat ‘David Lauder’. And he is also married to Laura, our the longest serving female crew member.

A training instructor at Torness Power Station, Gordon has been walking and running his miles, even while down at the RNLI College in Poole, where he has been doing his crew emergency procedures course this week. And later this year he will be going overseas, representing Dunbar at an international search and rescue event.

He said: ‘Even after 22 years on the crew I am still learning and I am excited at the opportunity to head to another country on the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) exchange this September.’

All month, Dunbar RNLI has been issuing its own Mayday call.
We asked our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.

Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – was a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’ve introduced you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.

Thanks for all your support throughout the month – you are all lifesavers!

To make a donation to Dunbar RNLI please follow the link in the comments…



🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Today it’s the turn of Gerard, Dunbar Lifeboat Station treasurer and one of our launch au...
30/05/2026

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Today it’s the turn of Gerard, Dunbar Lifeboat Station treasurer and one of our launch authorities.

Gerard’s involvement goes back more than 20 years when he first joined and in that time he has also served as a volunteer on the lifeboat crew. He was initially ‘gently persuaded’ into joining by his father Ivor, who was then station president and, in much the same vein, Gerard was ‘politely encouraged’ to log his Mayday Miles!

A retired technical director of an engineering company and dad of three, Gerard‘s miles were a mixture of cycling and on foot, including a walking tour of Malaga last week.

This month, Dunbar RNLI issued its own Mayday call.
We asked our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.

Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – was a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’ve been introducing you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.

Please let us know of any Mayday Mile fundraising events you have been doing.



🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Our Mayday Miler today is David, one of our newly appointed launch authorities, who has h...
29/05/2026

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Our Mayday Miler today is David, one of our newly appointed launch authorities, who has has been involved with the station in several roles for over 27 years.

David, a former crewmember who is now part of the shore crew and a tractor driver for our D class lifeboat, also plays a key role at our annual ‘Lifeboat Day’, managing our all-important bar.

The dad-of-four and proud grandad is a company director of a cleaning firm that operates throughout the UK.

He completed his Mayday Miles by cycling with his daughter Devyn.

This month, Dunbar RNLI issued its own Mayday call.
We asked our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.

Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – was a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’ve been introducing you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.

Please let us know of any Mayday Mile fundraising events you have been doing.



Dunbar Primary School's Miles Better!We turned Mayday Miles into Mayday smiles this morning thanks to the efforts of the...
29/05/2026

Dunbar Primary School's Miles Better!

We turned Mayday Miles into Mayday smiles this morning thanks to the efforts of the children at Dunbar P.S.

The school's regular Friday morning mile run before class became a Mayday Mile as our RNLI lifeboat crew volunteers joined kids - and some parents - for a run to raise money for the charity that saves lives at sea.

Even Stormy Stan got in the act with a strong sprint for the finish line!

Huge thanks to everyone at the school for their support and to all the children and parents who took part and kindly donated.

You answered our Mayday call in style!


🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Today it’s the turn of Eldon, who has become one of more experienced shore crew members a...
28/05/2026

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Today it’s the turn of Eldon, who has become one of more experienced shore crew members and also a trainee tractor driver for our D class inshore lifeboat ‘David Lauder’ since joining two years ago.

An energy assessor for CWP Energy, based from the BeGreen office in the High Street, Eldon completed his Mayday mile walking around Dunbar and along the cliffs at Winterfield.

He says: ‘I have grown up with my dad, Chris, volunteering on the lifeboats for over ten years and I was inspired to join by his bravery and commitment to helping out the local community.’

This month, Dunbar RNLI is issuing its own Mayday call.
We’re asking our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.
Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – is a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’re introducing you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.
Please let us know of any Mayday Mile fundraising events you are doing.



🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Today it’s the turn of Ian, our lifeboat operations manager (LOM).Ian ⁠first joined the R...
27/05/2026

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Today it’s the turn of Ian, our lifeboat operations manager (LOM).

Ian ⁠first joined the RNLI in 1978 and has served on the crew at four different lifeboat stations.

Now retired ‘from real work’ after careers in financial services then health and safety, he still finds time to run his own training business, with some occasional work as a commercial skipper of small boats.

Ian has been the LOM at Dunbar since 2023, responsible for the management of all operational volunteers, including the safety and training standards, maintenance of the station and all the equipment and being the liaison between the crew and their families during service calls. He also communicates with our area lifesaving manager (ALM) and RNLI headquarters in Poole.

Ian, who has walking his Mayday Miles with his daughter’s dog Poppy, says: ‘I am ⁠⁠immensely proud to be leading the operations team at Dunbar.’

This month, Dunbar RNLI is issuing its own Mayday call.

We’ve been asking our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.

Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – is a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’re introducing you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.
Please let us know of any Mayday Mile fundraising events you are doing.



🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Today it’s the turn of Fiona, who has been a valued member of the Dunbar RNLI crew for th...
26/05/2026

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Today it’s the turn of Fiona, who has been a valued member of the Dunbar RNLI crew for the past three years, after moving to Dunbar four years ago to take up the role of Harbour Master.

She originally joined as Launch Authority and has now also trained as shore crew for our D class lifeboat ‘David Lauder’ and, most recently, as lifeboat crew on our all-weather Trent class lifeboat ‘John Neville Taylor’.

Alongside her boisterous and cheeky pup Poppy, she clocks up plenty of ‘Mayday Miles’ every day around the harbour, while also making the most of the beautiful beaches along our coastline. 🌊🐾

This month, Dunbar RNLI is issuing its own Mayday call.
We’re asking our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.
Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – is a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’re introducing you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.
Please let us know of any Mayday Mile fundraising events you are doing.



🛟Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Today’s Mayday Miler is Alewyn Rens originally hailing from South Africa, Alewyn joined th...
25/05/2026

🛟Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Today’s Mayday Miler is Alewyn Rens originally hailing from South Africa, Alewyn joined the crew three years ago. Alewyn 44, joined the crew to give back to his community and learn some new skills.

Alewyn a IT system manager said ‘I joined the crew three years ago and have met many people on the way’

‘I wanted to do the mayday mile to raise fund for our vital lifesaving work and I thank all those who have taken part this month’

This month, Dunbar RNLI is issuing its own Mayday call.
We’re asking our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.
Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – is a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’re introducing you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.

Please let us know of any Mayday Mile fundraising events you are doing.



They did it!After two gruelling days in the saddle, the three lads from Helensburgh - Basil Walker, Ben Atkinson and Jam...
24/05/2026

They did it!

After two gruelling days in the saddle, the three lads from Helensburgh - Basil Walker, Ben Atkinson and James McPherson - completed their cycle of an extended version of the John Muir Way, from Dunbar Lifeboat Station in the east coast to RNLI Helensburgh in the west, at 8.45pm today.

Well done lads!

To support their fundraiser for the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, please go to ...
https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonmuirwayforrnli?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟Today it’s the turn of Alistair, who has been with our crew for nearly 33 years.Alistair,...
24/05/2026

🛟 Mayday Mile 🛟 Meet the Crew 🛟

Today it’s the turn of Alistair, who has been with our crew for nearly 33 years.

Alistair, who joined in 1993, has served on both Dunbar’s lifeboats and is a mechanic on our all-weather Trent class lifeboat ‘John Neville Taylor’.

He clocked the highest Mayday miles of our crew, walking 12.5 miles and 3,869ft of ascent near Roybridge in the Scottish Highlands.

He said: ‘Let's just say that Scotland played it's normal weather card - sunshine, rain, snow, whiteout and screaming gales of wind which would come and go!’

This month, Dunbar RNLI is issuing its own Mayday call.
We’re asking our supporters to join us in a Mayday Mile, completing a mile a day in their own way to help raise funds for RNLI lifesavers.

Every mile – by walking, running, cycling or whatever – is a simple way to stand alongside our crew and show your support.

And throughout the month we’re introducing you to our volunteers who benefit from your generosity, which funds the training, kit and equipment they need to save lives at sea.
Please let us know of any Mayday Mile fundraising events you are doing.



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Victoria Harbour
Dunbar
EH421HS

Telephone

+441368863966

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