This article was posted on Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Station’s Facebook page on 25/08/2026
Kirkcudbright RNLI’s ILB Sheila Stenhouse B- 814 – “She deserves a medal”
The lifeboat has performed amazingly during the last 20 months she has been moored in the river while the boathouse was being extended and renovated. These are the words of Kirkcudbright RNLI’s mechanic John Collins who has maintained the Sheila Stenhouse for 20 years.
Now the oldest Atlantic 85 in the RNLI Fleet this boat has served the coast around the Solway for two decades. As Kirkcudbright crew take over the wonderful new boathouse facility the current boat has been retired and will be replaced with a new Atlantic 85.
When she first came on service she was one of the earliest Atlantic 85’s in Scotland. On 13 October 2007 she was named at Kirkcudbright Harbour by Mrs Carol Richmond, in memory of her late aunt, whose bequest had funded the lifeboat. Like many boats in the RNLI fleet she was funded by the generosity of donors. The Sheila Stenhouse replaced the Atlantic 21 Peter and Grace Ewing.
The service record of the Sheila Stenhouse was
197 launches
198 people assisted
93 craft assisted
25% of her activity was to assist sailing boats.
The Atlantic 85 was an improvement on the former Atlantic 21. The Sheila Stenhouse was capable of speeds
up to 35 knots the Atlantic 85 could launch in daylight in force 7 conditions and at night in a force 6.
As the numbers above testify the Sheila Stenhouse has been involved in many and varied call outs. Sometimes being turned back even before launching and at other times launching in rough dangerous conditions and being at sea for many hours.
She has covered cliff rescues, capsized boats, engine failures, missing person searches, recovery of vessels run aground. Numerous kayakers, swimmers, fishermen and people stranded. Most shouts have good outcomes but the crew’s thoughts often turn to the more tragic events. However the volunteer crew can be very proud of the more than 200 people that have been assisted when needing help.
Through all this the Sheila Stenhouse, given as a generous gift, has been an excellent lifeboat and will be missed.
Along with John Collins, Mechanic, four more members of crew have been with this boat through her whole service, Robert Ross, Senior Helm, Marin Valentine, Helm, Derek Ingram, Helm and Michel Cadiet Shore Crew (previously boat crew). This is a testament to the dedication of the volunteer crews and as the Sheila Stenhouse steps down to be replaced by a new Atlantic 85 George D Dow a new younger crew are waiting in the wings to take over.
The new boathouse opening ceremony will be held on 26 September, due to restricted access it will be a small event with a larger ceremony at the harbour later in the day, when the public are welcome to come along to see the new boat the George D Dow being named.
Open days will then be held on dates to be confirmed when the volunteer crew and fundraisers look forward to welcoming everyone who has supported the RNLI so generously in the last two years. Details of these events will be published later.
Pictures: 1. Naming Ceremony Montage credit Hilary Neil
- Sheila Stenhouse arrives as Peter and Grace Ewing leaves
- Sheila Stenhouse near Boathouse
- Changeover Sheila Stenhouse (foreground) George D Dow (background) August 2026
- John, Kirkcudbright RNLI mechanic says farewell to ILB 814 Sheila Stenhouse