Mallaig History

1948 The RNLI established a lifeboat station at Mallaig after the station at Tobermory was closed in November 1947 due to manning difficulties. The lifeboat at Mallaig was kept on moorings in the harbour.

1951 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain Ian B Watt for rescuing 62 crew from the motor vessel Tapti, which had run aground on the Eileen Soa rocks in Gunna Sound.

1959 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain Ian Watt for rescuing 14 people from the German vessel Heinrich Sieghold.

1963 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Second Coxswain C Henderson for rescuing five adults and two children who were stranded on a cliff.

1982 An Arun class lifeboat was placed on service.

1986 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Acting Mechanic Ian Angus MacNaughton after diving under the water from the lifeboat and recovering and supporting a drowning man. He also assisted in rescuing the three crew from the fishing vessel LBP which had struck rocks and was sinking.

1989 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Thomas Ralston for rescuing the two crew from the fishing vessel Galilean and saving the vessel during a violent storm and very rough seas on 27 October 1988.
 
1998  Improved shore facilities were completed in September.

2000 The Severn class lifeboat, ON-1250 Henry Alston Hewat, was placed on service.

2001 Crew Member Patrick Morrison suffered a heart attack three minutes after the all weather lifeboat had launched on service on 5 October. The lifeboat returned to shore and he was taken to hospital but he sadly died on 9 October.

2010  A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Admiral the Lord Boyce was awarded to Coxswain Michael Ian Currie in recognition of his command decision making and seamanship when, on 2 November 2010, the station lifeboat under his command took in tow the disabled motor vessel Red Duchess. The Red Duchess was being sent onto a lee shore at Rhum by a severe westerly gale.  Not only were the crew of six saved, as well as the vessel, but severe environmental damage was averted.

Station honours

At Mallaig lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 4
Bronze Medal 1