The lifeboat station on the island of Harris is to become permanent following a successful trial, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has confirmed.
The charity's trustees have given the go-ahead for the Leverburgh in the south of the island to become Scotland's 46th station. It will be the newest all-weather station in Scotland for more than 20 years.
The decision was taken after the lifeboat attended 16 incidents in less than a year, making it one of the busier boats in Scotland, and the dedication of the small community to train as the volunteer crew.
The RNLI had estimated there would be between five to 10 callouts or shouts annually at Leverburgh.
Leverburgh's shouts included helping fishing boats, rescuing a family from an island, searching for a missing canoeist, being on stand-by when a young Minke whale was in the village harbour, rescuing a sheep stuck on a ledge, and being on stand-by when a body was found at the bottom of cliffs.
John MacLean, Leverburgh's lifeboat operations manager, said: "From an operational point of view, it is satisfying to know Leverburgh has been granted permanent status. The central position in the islands, with access to east and west, made it an ideal location.
"The number of 'shouts' has been at least up to national average, crew numbers have been maintained in a sparsely populated area, and dedication shown by them for the RNLI cause has been outstanding. It is gratifying to know the enthusiasm shown and the time dedicated from the start has been rewarded."
The station was launched last May to fill a gap in the coastal cover provided by the charity. The nearest stations are at Stornoway, Portree and Barra and they had covered the Sound of Harris area where Leverburgh is situated.
In recent years the RNLI had received representations from the South Harris Community Council for a lifeboat. The growth of offshore fish farms and renewable energy projects, and an increase in leisure craft prompted the call for a new station.
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