A SCOTS lifeboat has been taken out of service because of the "lack of mutual trust" among some of its volunteers.
The RNLI took the decision to mothball the Peterhead lifeboat after ruling the team could not operate the life-saving vessel “safely or effectively.”
The charity said the move was a last resort after years of trying to work through "personal rivalries and historic disagreements" of some crew members based at Peterhead.
It comes after a recent crew meeting, attended by senior RNLI operational personnel.
A charity spokeswoman said: “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.
“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.
“We are committed to our lifeboat station at Peterhead and are taking immediate action to resolve the situation.”
Last month a Peterhead crewman was reportedly suspended from duties – for cleaning the boat.
It is understood h was suspended for about two weeks by the charity, which since U-turned on the decision.
The volunteer had been cleaning gull droppings from the exterior of the boat.
The first Peterhead RNLI station was established in 1865 and closed in 1928. The present station established was established in 1912.
The lifeboat's last reported call out was on Thursday when it came to the rescue of a yachtsman whose vessel had lost its rudder.
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