Fraserburgh – Volunteer crew members from Fraserburgh RNLI were called into action on Friday 7 November 2025 to carry out a long-range medical evacuation of a seriously ill fisherman about 60 nautical miles east-north-east of Fraserburgh.

The all-weather Trent class lifeboat Willie and May Gall launched at 11.20am after a request from the UK Coastguard, which had received a call from the skipper of the fishing vessel asking for immediate medical assistance.

The vessel’s position was first reported further out at sea, but the rendezvous took place approximately 60 nautical miles from the station. Severe fog in some areas meant a helicopter could not be used.

Minutes after being paged, Coxswain Vic Sutherland arrived at the station, selected a volunteer crew and briefed them on the long duration of the service and the difficult visibility expected due to heavy fog patches.

Fraserburgh Lifeboat Willie and May Gall left harbour at best possible speed within minutes, in sunny but misty conditions. On board were Coxswain Vic Sutherland, Mechanic Declan Sutherland and crew members Stephen Brown, Stewart Gray, Scott Leye, Grant Morrison and Dave Sutherland.

It was not long before they ran into really thick fog and had to remain extremely vigilant while maintaining speed. As they closed on the fishing vessel, visibility continued to deteriorate, making navigation highly demanding.

The lifeboat successfully located the vessel. Although in severe pain, the skipper was able to transfer himself onto the lifeboat unaided. With the casualty safely aboard, the volunteers immediately began the long return to Fraserburgh.

Coxswain Vic Sutherland said: “This was a significant journey in difficult conditions. The weather ruled out the use of a helicopter in some areas due to severe fog, so it was important that we reached the casualty as quickly and safely as possible. Visibility became extremely poor on the return leg, requiring a constant, extreme vigil from all the crew to ensure a safe passage home.”

The lifeboat eventually arrived back at Fraserburgh harbour in thick fog and handed the casualty to a waiting ambulance team for onward medical treatment.

The Trent was then washed down, refuelled and prepared for the next service, and the crew debriefed. During the debrief, Vic thanked the crew for their quick response and expressed gratitude to other volunteers who responded to the pager and assisted in various ways. He also praised the care and attention given to the casualty, who was in extreme pain, while in the lifeboat’s care. Everyone was pleased to have been able to help and wished him a speedy recovery.

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