Sunderland Marine Champions Lifeboat Heroes in New Skipinnish Single
Internationally renowned Fisherman’s Friends join Skipinnish on the track. ‘The Lifeboat’ available to download on Friday 15 August 2025. Proceeds go to Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI)
Sunderland Marine, part of global maritime insurer NorthStandard, has announced its contribution to the release of “The Lifeboat,” a stirring new single by Celtic music icons Skipinnish featuring renowned sea shanty group The Fisherman’s Friends.
The song is a tribute to two centuries of bravery by Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) volunteers, honouring their courageous service saving lives at sea under most challenging conditions – including the North East shores.
Written by Skipinnish co-founder, lifelong fisherman and Sunderland Marine member, Angus MacPhail, “The Lifeboat” reflects the selfless dedication of RNLI crews who are ready to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice. Sunderland Marine’s sponsorship has been instrumental in supporting the production and promotion of this tribute, which will donate all proceeds to the RNLI.
The connection is personal for Sunderland Marine, which has deep roots in the North East’s maritime community. Sunderland’s own RNLI Lifeboat Station is the oldest operational station in Great Britain, protecting seafarers for over 200 years.
Angus MacPhail said:
“Having lived my life around the sea, I know firsthand the extraordinary dedication of lifeboat volunteers. Sunderland Marine’s support has been invaluable in bringing this tribute to life, helping us share the story of the selfless bravery that saves lives every day.”
Craig McBurnie, Head of Sunderland Marine, added:
“At Sunderland Marine, we are proud to support a project that celebrates the life-saving work of the RNLI and the spirit of the maritime community. This single reflects values we share, including courage, commitment, and a deep connection to the sea.
This sponsorship is part of an ongoing commitment to supporting the maritime and fishing industries, and the communities we serve.”
The North East’s insurer is committed to supporting sustainability and safety in the maritime sector, as demonstrated by its previous initiatives such as backing the Whitby Lobster Hatchery and funding coastal fishing line recycling schemes, reinforcing its role as a responsible partner in regional maritime heritage.
“The Lifeboat” will be officially released on Thursday, 14th August, accompanied by a music video launch. The single will be performed live by Skipinnish and The Fisherman’s Friends at Skipinnish’s headline concert at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on 27th September 2025.
Pre-order the song now – Click Here >
ENDS
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About NorthStandard:
Hailing from the North East, with its headquarters on Newcastle’s Quayside, NorthStandard is one of the world’s largest providers of shipping and marine insurance, helping to insure one in five vessels on the ocean against a variety of third-party risks.
Established through the merger of North P&I Club and the Standard Club in February 2023 and ‘A’ rated by S&P Global, NorthStandard has premium revenues exceeding US$870 million, free reserves of US$803 million and mutual pool tonnage surpassing 270 million GT.
NorthStandard offers a unique blend of worldwide presence and class-leading expertise across multiple specialist areas, including P&I, FD&D, War Risks, Strike & Delay, Hull and Machinery and ancillary insurance. Its Sunderland Marine and Coastal & Inland divisions also provide cover for owners fixed premium P&I, fishing vessels, inland waterway and coastal trading vessels, and specialist aquaculture insurance for fish farms and angling lakes. NorthStandard’s comprehensive local market and sector knowledge is underpinned by continuous investments in market-leading digital technologies.
NorthStandard is a leading member of the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG) and is fully committed to upholding the shared objectives of its twelve independent member clubs, which provide liability cover for approximately 85% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.
About Sunderland Marine:
Sunderland Marine provides market-leading fixed premium marine insurance products: Aquaculture, Fishing, Coastal and other Specialist Vessels, and Owners Fixed Premium, underwritten by NorthStandard.
As experts in the industry, Sunderland Marine take a straight-forward approach to business, utilising a team of underwriters, claims specialists, risk surveyors, loss prevention experts and global support team understand the vital needs of clients.
For more information:
Rob McInally
Global Director (Marketing & Communications)
NorthStandard
+44 191 232 5221 / 7795 267 546
rob.mcinally@north-standard.com
Jagoda Waskowiak
Senior Account Executive
Karol Marketing
0191 629 0981
jagoda@karolmarketing.com