Fraserburgh Harbour has donated £1,000 to the RNLI’s Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station after retired refrigeration engineer John Fraser suggested supporting the charity instead of accepting payment for his recent work with the Harbour’s ice plant.
Fraserburgh Harbour acquired full ownership and operational control of the ice plant in 2024, safeguarding the provision of ice for all vessels that require it, as well as the local fish processing industry, and completing a 6-figure modernisation of the space and its facilities.
For John, who grew up in Fraserburgh, the donation reflects a longstanding family connection to the lifeboat station. His great-grandfather, Andrew Noble, was Fraserburgh’s longest-serving lifeboat Coxswain, serving for 32 years.
Having grown up around the Harbour and witnessed the impact of the 1970 lifeboat disaster on the town, John wanted the money to support a service that means a great deal to him and the local community.
L-R: John Murison (Fraserburgh Harbour Superintendent), Vic Sutherland (RNLI Coxswain), John Fraser (Harbour Consultant), Shane Wood (Fraserburgh Harbour Master)
Speaking of the donation, John Fraser said: “My career started in Fraserburgh 55 years ago when I started an Apprenticeship at Fraserburgh Ice & Cold Storage. The Ice Factory gave me a great start to my working life prior to attending university in Glasgow. I then worked at BOC-Linde Refrigeration in London before working with Star Refrigeration for about 30 years.
“After retiring, I ran my own sole trader business, which I wound up about three years ago. John Murison, Harbour Superintendent, then got in touch about the ice plant they were purchasing, which I saw as an opportunity to go back to where it all started.
“I’m Broch born and bred, I spent much of my younger years around the Harbour, and the lifeboat means a lot. I was at school in 1970 when The Duchess of Kent lifeboat capsized and 5 lives were lost, which impacted the entire community. My great-grandfather, Andrew, was lost when the Lady Rothes lifeboat capsized in 1919. So, when John suggested they donate my payment, I suggested the RNLI Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station.”
Andrew Noble, Fraserburgh’s longest-serving lifeboat Coxswain, serving for 32 years. And the first Silver Medal presented to Andrew Noble.
John’s great-grandfather, Andrew, served as Fraserburgh’s Harbour Master and spent 32 years as Coxswain for the Fraserburgh Lifeboat station before his passing when the Lady Rothes lifeboat capsized in 1919. His crewmate Andrew Farquhar also sadly lost his life in the accident.
During his time as Coxswain, Andrew Noble received two silver medals for rescues in 1909 and saw the station through the transition from rowing boats to motorised boats in 1915.
Vic Sutherland, full-time Coxswain Mechanic at Fraserburgh Lifeboat station said: “We were delighted when Fraserburgh Harbour chose to donate to the RNLI Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station on behalf of John Fraser. His great-grandfather’s story is deep-rooted in our history and will be told for centuries to come, so the connection is incredibly meaningful, not just to the RNLI but to the local community.”
“Receiving £1,000 will make a significant impact to the station and will allow us to train new volunteer recruits who can support the station just as Andrew did.”
To find out more about Fraserburgh Harbour visit the website: https://fraserburgh-harbour.co.uk
If you would like to learn about the work of the RNLI Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station, visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/fraserburgh-lifeboat-station