B-933 Skipasund, the new B-Class inshore lifeboat funded by The Skipasund Foundation, has been inaugurated at RNLI Macduff Lifeboat Station. A naming ceremony and service of dedication took place on Saturday 10th June, marking the formal handover of the boat to the RNLI crew at Macduff.
Skipasund replaces the station’s previous vessel, Lydia Macdonald, which had served the local community for 17 years. The service was carried out by Macduff Parish Church’s Rev Hugh O’Brien with attendees including local dignitaries – the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson and Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte – volunteers, invited guests and members of the public. The Skipasund Foundation was represented by Neil Sinclair, Divisional Director at Globus Group.
After the ceremony, Skipasund was launched out of Macduff harbour accompanied by the Buckie, Fraserbugh and Douglas Currie lifeboats and put through its paces. Skipasund arrived at Macduff Lifeboat Station on 31st May after undergoing sea trials.
Haraldur Agustsson, Founder of The Skipasund Foundation said: “Supporting the RNLI with a new lifeboat has been a lifelong ambition for me. I know from my own experience growing up on Shetland, with my family working in the fisheries and operating a fishing vessel, what a vital source of safety and comfort the RNLI is for communities all around the UK.
“I have huge respect and admiration for the crews who willingly and voluntarily put their lives on the line to help others every day. Improving public safety is one of the Skipasund Foundation’s core missions and it warms my heart to know that this lifeboat will help the crew at Macduff to keep the waters around the lifeboat station safe.”
The Skipasund Foundation was established in 2022 by Haraldur to support UK national charities with a particular focus on helping the next generation addressing disadvantage and improving public safety.
Macduff RNLI lifeboat manager Nigel Ironside said: “This is a very proud day. We’re extremely grateful to Haraldur and the Skipasund Foundation who have donated this lifeboat. It is ideally suited for rescues close to these shorelines near cliffs and rocks, yet it can withstand challenging conditions in the open sea making it an exemplary search and rescue craft. This lifeboat means that we now have the latest and finest equipment available, so I know that when the crew heads out to sea we'll all have peace of mind that this lifeboat will help keep them safe."
The lifeboat and the foundation take their name from Icelandic-born Mr Agustsson’s native language – ‘skip’ means ship and ‘sund’ means sound or inlet.
