“Gàidhlig gu leòr” for primary school visit to RNLI Portree
The crew of Portree RNLI were requested to help with a special call-out earlier this summer – but this time for a visit to the lifeboat station by local school pupils.
The crew of Portree RNLI were requested to help with a special call-out on Monday (17 June) – but this time for a visit to the lifeboat station by local school pupils.
Thirteen Young Gaelic Ambassadors from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh (Portree Gaelic Primary School), along with local Comunn na Gàidhlig Iomairtean officer Sine Gillespie, visited the lifeboat station to find out more about the work of the RNLI and to help mark the charity’s two-hundredth year of saving lives at sea.
The group were treated to a tour of the Portree Trent class All Weather Lifeboat - Stanley Watson Barker 14 16 -and were taught about some of the RNLI key messages such as Float to Live.
Four members of the Portree lifeboat volunteer crew – Iain Beaton, Maggie MacAskill, Eilidh Henderson and Trainee Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO) Robert MacInnes – spoke with the young people in Scottish Gaelic, emphasising the key messages and RNLI knowledge in the language that is well-spoken right across the Isle of Skye.
Sine Gillespie, Comunn na Gàidhlig Iomairtean officer for North Skye, said:
“Ann an ùine nach bi fada, bidh ar tosgairean òga a’ gluasad dhan àrd-sgoil. Agus bha e na thlachd dhuinn gun d’ fhuair sinn an cothrom tachairt ri iùlaichean cho brosnachail is a gheibhear aig Stèisean nam Bàta-teasairginn ann am Port Rìgh.”
“Our young Gaelic ambassadors will shortly make the move to high school and it was fantastic that they got to meet such inspirational role models at the Portree Lifeboat Station.”
“Bha sinn a’ miannachadh tuigse nas fheàrr fhaighinn air obair an INRB / RNLI. Agus bha sinn an dèidh taisbeanadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig iarraidh - nan gabhadh sin dèanamh. Anns a’ bhliadhna mhòr aca, tha e iomchaidh gum bi sinn a’ stad ‘s a’ beachdachadh air an obair mhìorbhuileach a tha ga dèanamh leis an RNLI.”
“We were keen to get an insight into the work of the RNLI and had requested a Gaelic-medium presentation if possible. In their bicentenary year, it is important to acknowledge the wonderful work of the RNLI.”
Robert MacInnes, Trainee Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO) at RNLI Portree, added:
“Tha e glè chudromach dhuinne mar sgioba teachdaireachdan sàbhailteachd an RNLI innse dhan a h-uile duine de gach aois, gu h-àraidh leis gu bheil sinn a' fuireach san Eilean Sgitheanach agus air ar cuairteachadh leis a' mhuir.”
“It’s very important to us as a team to share the RNLI safety messages to everyone of all ages, particularly as we are surrounded by the sea here on the Isle of Skye.”
“Chòrd e rinn gu mòr a bhith a’ cur fàilte air an òigridh chun an stèisein gus coinneachadh ri cuid den luchd saor-thoileach agus am bàta-teasairginn fhaicinn. Bha iad fìor dhealasach agus ùidh ann a bhith a’ faighinn a-mach barrachd mu obair an RNLI.”
“We really enjoyed welcoming the young people to the station to meet some of the volunteers and see the lifeboat. The group were enthusiastic and keen to find out more about the work of the RNLI.”
The RNLI is asking the public to remember 'Float to Live' if they find themselves in trouble in water: tilt your head back with ears submerged; relax and try to control your breathing; use your hands to help you stay afloat; it's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. Remember to dial 999 to call for help and ask for the coastguard.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.