Oban RNLI’s newest lifeboat received high praise on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday morning, with a guest speaker highlighting the journey The Campbell-Watson had made to her new home.
Reverend canon Dr. Jennifer Smith, superintendent minister of Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission described the new lifeboat’s arrival on the Thought for the Day segment of the Today programme.
The Oban Times reported last week that the Shannon Class 13-50 vessel had been piped into Oban and cheered from the shore on Sunday December 10.
The Campbell-Waston arrived in Oban Bay after five crew members sailed her from the RNLI’s headquarters in Poole, making stops along the way in Cornwall and Ireland.
Dr Smith – who mostly works in Central London, but has spent time in Argyll – told Radio 4 listeners that she has a subscription to The Oban Times and had seen last week’s front page story on the lifeboat’s arrival.
“Much of the news that I consume acts if the capital is the centre of the universe, but I also spend time on the west coast of Scotland and I’m proud to say I still have a subscription to the Oban Times, the journal of record for Argyll and Bute”, she said.
“The front page of The Oban Times last week carried an unexpected Christmas message for me. It shows five proud crew members on the deck of a new lifeboat, a bright orange Shannon class 13-50 The Campbell Watson.
“Inside, a local lass in full storm gear stands in the bow to pipe the boat into the harbour. It might not make the headlines elsewhere, but this new lifeboat is crucial for Oban.
“Here’s the thing that struck me. This crew from the Highlands had sailed it all the way from Dorset via Ireland in the middle of the winter storm season, when they could easily have gone by road.
“It had been a conscious choice, they told the reporter, so they would get to know how the boat handled in rough weather and gain confidence in her capabilities. They got their wish, facing some very rough seas indeed.
“That crew chose to steer into the storm, preparing for the day when, called to save those in distress, they would have no choice.
While sailing into the bay earlier this month, the Campbell-Watson was escorted by Tobermory RNLI’s lifeboat and the Oban RNLI vessel it will replace – Mora Edith MacDonald.
Coxswain Ally Cerexhe had told The Oban Times: “The main reason for bringing the new lifeboat to Oban by sea was for us to get to know it. Five of us have now had the privilege of spending several days at sea on the boat, learning all about her.
“The first couple of days of the passage we had some very poor weather, and the boat handled it absolutely perfectly, so that helped build our confidence in the capabilities of the boat.”
Two RNLI lifeboats are expected to be stationed at Oban until Spring 2024, with the Trent Class 14-23 Mora Edith MacDonald staying on call to respond night day, while remaining crew members undergo training on the newer vessel.
Dr Smith added: “Jesus’ birth took place in a storm of a different kind. His parents were displaced by global politics, stranded in Bethlehem without a home or shelter and then fled for their lives into Egypt as refugees.
“I think there’s a lesson for all of us, Christian or not, in what the lifeboat crew chose. Christmas is not just a chance to take a break from the hard global news stories, as if we could anaesthetise ourselves with tinsel and lights and excess.
“Christmas is a time for us to steer into the storm, to stand up and stand together and prepare for the day when we are called to help. Jesus never promised life would be easy sailing. Rather he came to his disciples in the heavy seas, telling them not to be afraid.
“So congratulations on the new lifeboat in Oban and a strong and good Christmas to you all from Central London.”
Dr Smith talked about the lifeboat from 1.47.25 into Wednesday morning’s Today programme on BBC Radio 4, which is available to listen to on BBC Sounds.
The Thought for the Day segment provides a platform for short faith-based reflective talks on current issues and news.