Buckie History

1860 The RNLI established a lifeboat station and a boathouse was built on the harbourside wall.

1884 A new boathouse was built after the first one was demolished to make way for a railway line extension.

1890 Silver Medals were awarded to Peter Fernie and William Raich for wading into the water and rescuing the three crew from the smack Industrie.

1921 A new boathouse was built for a motor lifeboat; an internal cradle was lowered into the water by hoists and the lifeboat floated off into the water.

1922 The station’s first motor lifeboat was placed on service.

1942 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain F Mair when nine people were rescued from an RAF launch. During the service the lifeboat was lifted by a heavy sea and crashed heavily on the rocks. Afterwards it was found that her hull had been badly damaged. The whole boat was flooded except for the engine room and petrol compartments, and she was kept afloat only by her air cases.

1949 The lifeboat went to the assistance of the steamer Frej of Stockholm and, after seven attempts, took off 19 crew. The Swedish Lifeboat Society awarded the RNLI its plaque of merit and a Diploma to the lifeboat station.

1960 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1961 The lifeboat was kept on moorings in the Inner Harbour.

1967 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain George Jappy for rescuing eight crew from the fishing boat Briar Rose.

1968 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain George Jappy for rescuing six crew from the fishing vessel Mistletoe, which had gone aground off the mouth of the River Spey.

1984 The Watson class lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced by an Arun class lifeboat.

1987 A Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to Coxswain John Murray and his crew for escorting the yacht Samphire safely into Macduff Harbour and rescuing the four crew from the yacht Monsun of Ekero.

1991 A Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to Coxswain John Murray for the rescue of three crew from the fishing vessel Fidelity.

1995 A new shore facility, providing an improved crew area, and pontoon berth were built.

2003 The station’s new Severn class lifeboat, ON-1268 William Blannin, was placed on service on 28 May.

Station honours

At Buckie lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 2

Bronze Medal 1

Silver Medal 2