Aith History

1933 Following the tragic loss of the trawler Ben Doran on the treacherous rocks of the Vee Skerries to the west of this station, the RNLI recognised the need for a lifeboat on the west side of Shetland. A station was established at Aith.

1967 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain John Nicholson and Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to seven lifeboat crew members for rescuing the crew of 12 from the trawler Juniper, which had gone aground in Lyra Sound.

1968 Coxswain Nicholson received the Maud Smith Award for the bravest act of life-saving carried out by any member of a lifeboat crew in 1967 for the above service.
 
1986 An Arun class lifeboat arrived at the station.

1996 February: the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain Hylton Henry when the lifeboat Snolda, under his command, rescued the crew of 11 and saved the 310 tonne Norwegian fishing vessel Vindhammer after a nine-hour tow to Sullom Voe in a severe gale and heavy seas.

October: a Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to Coxswain Hylton Henry in recognition of his leadership and seamanship when the fishing vessel Radiant Star II, with a crew of five, was taken in tow.

1998 The Severn class lifeboat Charles Lidbury arrived at the station and the Arun class lifeboat was withdrawn.

2003 New shore facilities for the station were completed.

Station honours

At Aith lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks 1

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 8

Silver Medal 1