History of lifeboat page 4
The following is taken from a document compiled by
Angus Oag Press officer for the Thurso lifeboat.
THURSO LIFEBOAT STATION
1995
December. Launch of tape and CD "Sounds of the North
Coast"
1996
December. Launch of the prints of the Thurso Lifeboat
"The Queen Mother".
The painting for the prints was done by local artist
Evan Sutherland (Reay).
The painting was given to the Queen Mother at her
Caithness home the Castle of Mey in September 1997. It
was presented to the Queen Mother by Ann Oag fundraising
organiser of the- Thurso -Branch, with Ila-Simpson
branch-secretary, Sandy Gordon branch chairman and Evan
Sutherland. (Report in Caithness Courier 17/9/97, Press
and Journal 9/97 also the magazine THE LIFEBOAT winter
1997/98).
1997
Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum was
accorded to Second Coxswain William Donald Munro in
recognition of the seamanship, skill and leadership
displayed for the service to the fishing vessel "AZTEC"
with four crew on board on 15th September.
The fishing vessel "AZTEC" had fouled her propeller and
was disabled in gale force westerly winds and heavy
seas. "THE QUEEN MOTHER" lifeboat had left her berth in
Thurso at 11.53 hrs and was making good progress even
though the wind had risen to storm force 10 and wave
height to 30 feet. At 13.45 hrs the lifeboat suffered a
seizure in the port throttle cable which left the
Coxswain only one able to use one engine.
Buy the time the lifeboat reached the "AZTEC" at 14.43
hrs John Buchan, skipper of the fishing vessel
"VIGILANT" had already connected a tow and was making
progress towards Scrabster.
The Lifeboat escorted both vessels eastwards until 18.40
hrs when the tow parted. Despite the difficulties of
manoeuvring on one engine and the wind and sea
conditions, the lifeboat secured a tow to the "AZTEC"
and recommenced passage to Scrabster, the casualty was
alongside at 19.15 hrs.
1998
On the 174 birthday of the RNLI a new sub branch to
Thurso was officially formed in Bettyhill. (4th March)
The new chairman for this sub branch was James Mackay.
1998
On the 30th October Second coxswain William Munro (45)
received the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on
Vellum, with assistant mechanics Duncan Munro (39) and
William Miller (41), and crew members, James Brims (23),
Thomas Davidson (28), Donald Mackenzie (53), Gordon
Munro, (35), Kevin Oag (18), and John Webster (40)
receiving Vellum Service Certificates.
The ages were at the time of the service 15th September
1997.
1998
On the 4th November Donald Mackenzie retires (55).
1998
On the 22nd December George Gibson retires as Hon Sec
and handed over to Brian Williams, who is a retired crew
member with over 20 years service.
1999
4th March saw Billy Miller Thurso lifeboat mechanic set
off a maroon at 10.05 ills to mark the 175th anniversary
of the RNLI. Storm Force members present a birthday cake
to the Coxswain and crew.
1999
19th March the medal service to the Multitanker Ascania.
1999
14th October Coxswain William Farquhar attended a
reception at Buckingham Palace. The reception was to
highlight the contributions made by the United Kingdom
emergency services.
1999
20th October, William Farquhar Coxswain was presented
the Emile Robin Award by The Shipwrecked Fishermen and
Mariners Benevolent Society at their Annual General
Meeting held in London.
1999
20th November, the crew received their service
certificates and bronze badges for bronze medal service.
2000
20th January, the crew receive a civic reception by the
Highland Regional Council in Pentland Hotel. The
Coxswain received a framed certificate from John Rosie
Convener of Caithness.
2000
Coxswain Farquhar received his bronze medal on 18th May
2000 at the Annual General Meeting of the RNLI in the
Barbican Centre, London. The medal was presented by the
Princess Royal.
2001
A Framed Letter of
Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Mr
Peter Nicholson was awarded to Coxswain William Farquhar
for the rescue of the crew of four and the saving of the
fishing vessel Poseidon on the evening of 8 September
2001. This service was conducted initially close
inshore, and in gale force winds gusting to Force 9/10.
Once clear of the shore, crew-members from the lifeboat
were transferred to the Poseidon by the Scrabster
harbour launch, as the fishing vessel’s skipper had been
seriously injured. The Station Honorary Secretary of
Thurso, Mr Brian Williams, who was in command of the
harbour launch, received a Letter of Appreciation signed
by the Chief Executive for his role and the two crew
members who barded the Poseidon received letters from
the Operations Director.
2001
The third lifeboat shed was pulled down. The work
started in January. Work on the new shore facilities
building began in February and the crew were in their
new building by December.
The third lifeboat house 1957 - 2001
The new shore facilities opened 2002
2002
Coxswain William Farquhar retired on the 10th January.
William Munro (Wing) takes over the coxswain position.
2002
A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the
Institution, Mr Peter Nicholson was presented to
Coxswain William Munro for his contribution to the
saving of the fishing vessel Faith Ann and her crew of
five on the night of 26 April. The Thurso lifeboat took
over the tow in arduous weather conditions and
successfully brought her into Thurso.
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