As if to prove the need for a lifeboat, only days later, on 28 March 1930, the fishing trawler Ben Doran was wrecked off Shetland, with the loss of all 9 crew.

On 21 February 1931, the steamer Everline of Riga was 100 miles west of Shetland, and drifting towards the islands, after losing her propeller.

The lifeboat crew were awaiting further news of the steamer, when they were called to the ketch Nolsoy of Tórshavn, towing her into harbour at 6:05pm.

The lifeboat Claude Cecil Staniforth (ON 943), which had been on station at Lerwick for just over 2 months, was launched on a 50-mile journey in storm conditions.

The boat would see some of the most dramatic rescue services, and RNLI Gallantry Medals were awarded on no fewer than five occasions, a silver and 4 bronze.

[1][7] In storm force 11 conditions, which had battered the Shetland Islands for days, cancelling all ferry services, the 3,624 ton refrigerated cargo vessel Green Lily, with 15 crew, departed Lerwick in the early hours on 19 November 1997, loaded with frozen fish, and bound for West Africa.

The lifeboat arrived to find the vessel just over 1 mile (1.6 km) off shore, with the helicopter unable to assist due to the rolling of the ship.

[8] Various efforts with tow lines failed, but a tug managed to grapple the anchor chain, and pulled the boat around.

The Pilot had to make the decision to cut the cable, rather than risk the helicopter and all aboard, knowing that they then had no method to try to retrieve the Winchman.