LISTEN: Peterhead rescuers walk out

Peterhead's lifeboat has no crew to take it out to sea on emergencies, because the team have fallen out.

The RNLI says the situation's so serious that the boat's crew members cannot operate safely at sea.

A relationship breakdown has led to some crew members walking out, with some remaining.

Spokesperson Gemma McDonald told Northsound News: "We have tried to work through these issues with the station.

"We've involved trained mediators, but individuals within the station have been unable to work together to put the life-saving service first, and put personal rivalries and historic disagreements behind them.

"We have tried to recruit, and we have seen unprecedented high turnover of local volunteer management.

"Attempts to recruit new staff and volunteers have failed at the station."

Fraserburgh and Aberdeen's RNLI stations are on standby to cover the coastline instead.

Local MP David Duguid added: "In any work place situation where people can't put their personal feelings aside and just get on with the job, that's worrying.

"It's very worrying if there's any reduction in our lifeboat cover, because they're hard-pushed as it is, particularly when people unfortunately make hoax calls from time to time as well."

"Any distraction of the Fraserburgh and Aberdeen services to look after Peterhead as well is going to be a further reduction on the overall protection of our coasts and offshore waters."

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STATEMENT:

'The RNLI has taken the decision to stand down a small number of volunteers at Peterhead Lifeboat Station, resulting in the lifeboat being taken temporarily off service.

'This action is a last resort and follows many attempts to tackle a lack of mutual trust, good communication and teamwork among the crew which has become so serious that the station is no longer capable of operating safely and effectively.

'The decision to relieve volunteers of their duties follows a recent crew meeting, attended by senior RNLI operational personnel, which saw some of the crew continue to exhibit negative behaviours that have been challenged for many years.

'The RNLI has put much time and resource into trying to support the volunteer crew and tackle the problems at Peterhead Lifeboat Station, including dedicated staff support and the use of a trained mediator. Attempts to recruit new staff and volunteers have failed.

'The RNLI has previously met with, and written to, some of those concerned to explain the type of behavioural changes that need to be made.

'Unfortunately, some crew members have been unable to work together to put the lifesaving service before their own personal rivalries and historic disagreements, resulting in the decision that they can no longer remain as part of the crew.

'As an emergency service, the RNLI has a responsibility to ensure the safety of our crews, our partners and those whose lives we save.

'We can only help others if we work as a team and keep ourselves safe first.

'Maintaining high standards and adhering to required protocol and behaviours is the cornerstone of any emergency service.

'Trust between our crew members is an essential element of the lifesaving operation – our volunteers have to be able to rely on each other and work as a team when called out to deal with high risk and dynamic rescue operations.

'We are committed to our lifeboat station at Peterhead and are taking immediate action to resolve the situation.

'In the right environment, we are confident that the remaining crew can operate a safe, effective and sustainable rescue service and we will be working closely with them over the coming months to get the lifeboat back on service as quickly as possible.

'In the interim, lifesaving cover will be provided by flanking stations at Fraserburgh and Aberdeen, along with other non-RNLI assets, and the Coastguard is fully aware of the situation.

'Fraserburgh and Aberdeen lifeboat stations will receive additional support during this time to allow us to maintain comprehensive 24/7 rescue cover.'