Oban busiest lifeboat station in west of Scotland

Participants are challenged to cover a mile each day – be it running, walking, skipping or even swimming – for the month of May. To find out more and sign up, go to RNLI.org/supportMayday

The invitation to sign up for the Mayday Mile comes as official callout data released by the RNLI shows Oban was the busiest single vessel all-weather lifeboat station in Scotland during 2025, responded to the largest number of any station in the west of Scotland.

52 people were assisted on 62 shouts during the year, 25 of those launches from Oban being during the hours of darkness.

Broughty Ferry on the Tay, which has both a Trent Class all-weather lifeboat and a D-class inshore lifeboat, and Queensferry on the Forth, which operates a B-class inshore lifeboat, each launched just over 100 times during the year.

Across Scotland as a whole, 37 lives were saved in 1,172 launches in 2025 – a third of them at night – crews helping a total of 838 people in difficultly.

Oban RNLI fundraising volunteer, Fiona Campbell, is taking part in the Mayday Mile again this year.

She said: “This May, we’re asking people to step up and support us through the Mayday Mile so we can keep saving lives when it matters most.

“The new figures show just how demanding last year was for the crew in Oban and colleagues across Scotland.

“Every launch represents someone in urgent need. Our fundraising helps ensure that RNLI crews have the resources they need so they are ready whenever their pagers go off.”

You can find Fiona’s fundraising page here: fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/fionacampbell/mayday-mile.

Fiona added: "During summertime, more people flock to beaches and coastal towns to make the most of everything they have to offer – from glorious sunshine to adventurous watersports. And as temperatures rise, so do calls from people in trouble in the water.

"By answering this Mayday call and giving a gift today, you can make a real, lifesaving difference. Your kindness will help give volunteers everything they need to launch to the rescue, and make sure they’re ready to face their busiest season."