A Scots lifeboat crew captured the special moment when a pod of dolphins decided to join in a training exercise.
Jack Minshull, a trainee crew member of Buckie Lifeboat, had been on a training exercise with fellow crew members around evening time on June 8, when he spotted the animals playing in the sea.
At least four dolphins can be seen racing alongside the boat in the clip. The animals take turns leaping out of the water and splashing around before swimming off.
The 27-year-old, who only started going out on rescue operations last month, told the Daily Record: "We had been doing man overboard drills and training for launch and recovery of our small inflatable rescue craft. We noticed them about halfway through the exercises.
"To start with we seen them next to the small boat but the two crew who were on it didn't notice as they were too caught up in the training. They were a couple of metres away and were having a right good play around.
"They seemed to be really interested in what we were doing with the small boat and the big boat and the manoeuvring. They came over to our boat and started playing alongside the boat as we were sailing, that's when I managed to capture them."
It's understood that six or seven dolphins joined the training operation for around 30 minutes after becoming intrigued by the boats manoeuvres.
He continued: "We see dolphins and seals quite regularly. There is a lot in the Moray Firth and depending on the conditions we get a lot of sightings when we are out on the boat.
"But that evening it was a real treat to get that close and personal with them. It was the first time I've ever seen them come up that close.
"I've heard of other crew members mention it but it's quite a rare event. It was a really special moment for me and one I'll remember forever."
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