The Stromness Ladies Lifeboat Guild fundraising cruise on board the NorthLink vessel MV Hamnavoe on Sunday (August 23) raised over £3,000 for the RNLI.

The cruise, in aid of the life-saving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, saw the ferry, which normally operates between Stromness and Scrabster, leave Stromness for a three-hour cruise which began in earnest in Scapa Flow and, in the course of a 40-mile route, concluding at Scrabster, before returning to Stromness. Hamnavoe provided a magnificent viewing platform for some of the more interesting parts of the Caithness coastline.

Between Clestrain Sound and Calf of Flotta the 192 passengers were treated to a lifesaving display by the Stromness Lifeboat crew and the Coastguard Service rescue helicopter. The exercise included winching coastguards and lifeboat crew on to and off the stern deck of the Hamnavoe.

After the display by the RNLI’s Severn Class lifeboat and the Coastguard Service’s Sumburgh-based Sikorsky helicopter, MV Hamnavoe then headed for the Flotta Oil Terminal, via Calf of Flotta. She sailed eastward through the Pentland Firth passing close to Stroma and Swona, past the Castle of Mey and on to the north of Dunnet Head and into Dunnet Bay itself before passing Castletown and on to Scrabster. Throughout the trip a commentary highlighted the many points of interest visible on the shoreline in addition the RSPB were on hand to point out birdlife on route. With the Stromness Pipe band onboard to pipe the Hamnavoe into and out of Stromness and Scrabster, all making for a memorable trip.

President of the Stromness Ladies Lifeboat Guild, Bella Wishart said: “The cruise was a great success. The weather was kind and the trip was greatly enjoyed by all. The RNLI is a charity which exists to save lives at sea. We receive no government funding, relying on the generosity of the public and on the fund-raising efforts of companies like NorthLink to keep the lifeboats afloat. We thank NorthLink for their fantastic help in organising this event and also to those who supported us on the day.”

NorthLink Commercial Director Cynthia Spencer added: “We’re delighted with the success of this event and the support received to make it happen. RNLI is a hugely respected organisation and NorthLink is extremely pleased to have been able to help.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to Members from the Orkney Traditional Music Group and the West Mainland Strathspey & Reel Society, the RSPB and the  Stromness pipe band who provided excellent entertainment on board on the day. Also to many of our suppliers who provided their products free of charge. Additionally, I’d like to thank our own shore staff and the crew of Hamnavoe who made their own contributions in time and effort and to make the cruise the success that it undoubtedly was.”