From the head of Loch Linnhe in the shadow of Ben Nevis, to the wild Atlantic surging around the extreme western peninsula of Mull; sea lochs and islands, rocky shoals and silty estuaries, sheltered bays and tidal waterfalls. Of all the lifeboat stations around the UK, Oban must be a contender for the most scenic, most varied and the longest extent of coastline that any station covers. In all, Oban takes care of some 471 miles of coastline (mainland and islands) and although relatively sheltered, its patch includes some of the fiercest and most notorious tidal waters in the UK.

At the mouth of the navigable Loch Etive are the Falls of Lora, a dramatic seawater waterfall which unleashes awesome power on a spring tide ebb. At the fringes of the patch is the infamous Corryvreckan whirlpool, created as the tide pours through the channel between Jura and Scarba. There is a well established rumour that the Corryvreckan is regarded as unnavigable by the Royal Navy. However, this a myth, caused by confusion between the Corryvreckan and another passage known as the Grey Dogs.

To the south and north of our patch, lifeboat cover is provided by our two flank stations at Islay and Tobermory. In addition to assisting vessels in difficulties, Oban lifeboat is often tasked to assist at police or medical incidents. There is certainly no shortage of variety to the work of Oban lifeboat.