West of Scotland - Firth of Clyde

Largs Lifeboat Station

When we arrived at the station, a little earlier than scheduled, we could see that their B-Class was out at sea as the Tallus Launch Tractor and Carriage were sitting empty at the top of the slipway and the boathouse was empty.

We took our required photos before being welcomed by Launch Authority Hugh through the window of the crew room. In the crew room we met Launch Authorities, Derek and Lifeboat Operations Manager John and enjoyed a lovely cup of tea and a very interesting discussion about the station and the crew together with some of the challenges they face around recruitment.

The station was opened in 1964 and was one of the first Inshore stations in Scotland. It has since become one of the busiest in Scotland and serves a large area of the Firth of Clyde with its surrounding islands. The boat house has been expanded over the years to accommodate previous ILBs with the current boat house being completed in 1998 and opened by HRH The Princess Royal in July of that year.

Within 30 minutes or so, we had word that their Atlantic 85, B-854, R A Wilson was on its way back to be recovered. The guys explained that the pagers sounded at just before 7am to launch to a yacht in distress and it required a tow to the town of Rothesay on the island of Bute.

We were asked if we could help with the chain that cordons the promenade preventing the public from crossing the path of the recovered boat. We were happy to assist and with Hi-Vis donned we awaited instruction. We watched the boat being recovered and had a lovely chat with Helm Andrew as the team clean down the boat. It was then time to say our goodbyes and head to our next visit.

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Helensburgh Lifeboat Station

The drive from Largs to Helenburgh took us around the north Ayrshire Coastline passed Greenock and Port Glasgow and on up past the southern end of Loch Lommond. A very pleasant drive.

Arriving at Helensburgh we saw that the Atlantic 85 had just been recovered after an exercise launch. We were met by Lifeboat Operations Manager, Howard, who welcomed us and had a chat with us whilst the crew washed the boat down and returned her to the boathouse.

Helensburgh Lifeboat Station was established at a very similar time to Largs, in 1965 as an inshore lifeboat station. It has been upgraded several times with the current boathouse being complete in 1997. Their Atlantic 85 is B-903 Angus and Muriel Mackay and joined the station in 2017.

As we were chatting, the Paddle Steamer, Waverley chuffed past heading up the Loch. We were introduced to Helm, Jamie who offered to take us out on his own RIB to see the ship up close. It was an opportunity we could not turn down. We got some amazing views of the paddle steamer from the RIB and it was a great experience. Thank you to Jamie for the opportunity.

Back on shore it was time to head around the lochs to the small village of Tighnabruaich whilst Jamie returned to the waters with his family for a spot of crab fishing.

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Tighnabruaich Lifeboat Station

The drive took around 90 minutes through incredible scenery. The village looks over the Kyles of Bute towards the island of Bute.

When we arrived we took our evidence photos and enjoyed the view over the water and the small marina. We were soon met by Deputy Launch Authorities David and Graeme, Volunteer Janet, Mechanic Dave and Lifeboat Operations Manager Donald. They very kindly showed us around the station their Atlantic 85, B-862 James and Helen Mason. She joined the station in 2012.

Also established in the 1960s the station has undergone some changes over  the years to its present structure completed in 1998.

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It was interesting to note the similarity between the three stations we had visited during the day in terms of age. The three inshore lifeboats are kept busy with pleasure craft and are ideal for the network of Lochs and waterways around the Firth of Clyde.

To get to our next overnight accommodation we needed to board the first of our 12 ferry crossings on this trip. This one was from the small ferry port of Portavadie to Tarbert. The short 30 minute crossing saved us a 90 mile, 2 hour drive. We were going to be based in the small village of Clachan in North Kintyre for the next 3 nights in a fabulous B&B called Kirkland House. That evening we enjoyed a fabulous meal at a seafood restaurant on the harbour front in Tarbert before settling down for a good nights sleep.

A fantastic day and with an unexpected boat trip and recovery of an Atlantic 85 it was an eventful day.