Fàilte air bòrd! Gaelic primary school visits Portree RNLI
Fàilte air bòrd! Gaelic primary school visits Portree RNLI
Lifeboats News Release
Bha sgioba stèisean bàta-teasairginn ann an Eilean Sgitheanach glè thoilichte fàilte a chur air sgoilearan bhon sgoil Ghàidhlig ionadail airson turas den bhàta-teasairginn.
The class of almost 20 pupils, who attend the Gaelic primary school in Portree, were treated to a tour of the lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker and learned about the key equipment onboard.
The visit to the lifeboat station, organised in conjunction with Comunn na Gàidhlig on 8 May 2025, also allowed the pupils to find out more about the RNLI safety messages such as ‘Float to Live’ and what to do in the event of an emergency.
Full-time station coxswain, Stuart Nicolson, said: “Bha madainn mhath againn a’ cur fàilte air a’ chlas gu RNLI Port Rìgh. Dh’fhaighnich iad tòrr cheistean sgoinneil agus bha iad airson barrachd fhaighinn a-mach mu na bhios sinn a’ dèanamh. Thuirt cuid de na sgoilearan gum biodh ùidh aca a thighinn chun RNLI san àm ri teachd, a bha math a chluinntinn.”
“We had a brilliant morning with the class from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh, who thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Portree RNLI. The class asked lots of great questions and were eager to find out more about the important work of the RNLI. Some of the pupils said that they would be interested in joining the RNLI in the future, which was brilliant to hear.”
Portree RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO), Robert MacInnes, said:
“Tha conaltradh le daoine òga na phàirt chudromach den obair leis an RNLI. ’S e deagh chothrom a tha seo don charthannas teachdaireachdan sàbhailteachd innse dhaibh, còmhla ris an turas spòrsail is inntinneach mun bhàta-teasairginn fhèin!”
“It’s important for us to engage with young people across our local area to inform them of key safety messaging, along with the fun tour of the lifeboat! The pupils were taught about Float to Live during their visit and how to call for help if they find themselves in trouble in or beside the water. They were surprised to hear that the organisation is a charity that relies on donations and volunteers, particularly given the cost of building lifeboats or purchasing essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the crew.”
Volunteer lifeboat crew members Iain, Eilidh and Maggie were joined by coxswain Stuart, mechanic John and volunteer LPO Robert to help facilitate the visit.
No matter your age, whether an adult or young person, follow the Float to Live advice if you find yourself in trouble in the water:
Tilt your head back with ears submerged.
Relax and try to breathe normally.
Move your hands to help you stay afloat.
Spread your arms and legs to improve stability.
It’s OK if your legs sink – we all float differently.
To serve onboard a lifeboat as crew, you must be over 18 years old and under 55 years old for inshore lifeboats or under 65 years old for all-weather lifeboats. Every crew member carries out a probationary period that usually lasts for 1 year.
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.
