A north-east lifeboat will return to full service five months after being taken out of action amid a row between the crew.
At the start of June, the Peterhead lifeboat was temporarily taken out of service after an internal disagreement led to several members being axed.
But now, with some new recruits jumping on board, the life-saving charity is preparing the team to resume full services on Saturday, November 9.
Operations manager, Jurgen Wahle, and area lifesaving manager, Henry Weaver, made the announcement at a meeting at the RNLI station.
Mr Wahle said: “A huge amount of work and dedication from volunteers and staff alike has gone into the station over the past months, and it’s brilliant to see that effort paying off.
“Our focus is now on continuing to develop our volunteers, welcome new recruits and to provide a world class life-saving service to our local community.
“Everyone at the station thanks the town for their ongoing support of the lifeboat and her crew.”
The crew had further cause for celebration as new mechanic Davie Weir was “passed-out” and given his boat officer hat this week.
Mr Weir, a police diver, was joined by his wife Caroline, an RNLI fundraising volunteer, to mark the occasion.
He said: “I think I might have set a record for the time between passing and being on a shout, the pager went seconds after my assessment finished.”
During the period when the Peterhead crew was out of action, Fraserburgh and Aberdeen stations were picking up their work.
But, since uniting as a team, the Peterhead personnel have attended six shouts in the last few weeks working alongside the other stations.
On Sunday morning, members were called from their beds to face a force eight gale to rescue a 160-tonne fishing boat which was in distress 25 miles off the coast.
They spent about 12 hours towing the stricken vessel to land, with assistance from the Aberdeen team.
Volunteer navigator Martyn Simpson said: “The crew did a brilliant job in some very challenging conditions.
“When the pagers go you never know what you’re going to face and, at 6.30am on a Sunday morning, that’s no different.
“We dealt with some huge seas but there was great team spirit and I think everyone was glad to eventually get back to dry land.”
As volunteers and a full-time staff member continue to train, the station will be supported by an RNLI fleet-staff coxswain allowing the station to return to full service.
