Dunbar RNLI called out to people in the water for first ‘shouts’ of 2026
Dunbar lifeboat volunteers were yesterday (Saturday 7 February) called out to two incidents at Seacliff and the Fife coast as they assisted in multi-agency operations.
The pagers sounded for the first time this year at 2.25pm when HM Coastguard asked for the all-weather lifeboat John Neville Taylor to assist North Berwick RNLI after a dog fell into Seacliff Harbour and two people entered the water to try and rescue her. Coastguard teams from Dunbar and North Berwick also attended.
Volunteers launched the Trent class lifeboat from Torness Power Station and arrived on scene to meet the North Berwick crew, who had assisted the coastguards in rescuing the dog with an animal bag and assessed the casualties who were unhurt and did not require medical attention.
Dunbar’s volunteers were then tasked at 3.15pm to join RNLI lifeboats from Kinghorn and Anstruther, Kinghorn Coastguard Rescue Team, South Queensferry Coastguard, Fife Police, St Andrews Coastguard and a HM Coastguard helicopter for a coordinated coastline search for a reported missing person near Kirkcaldy.
After completing their search, Dunbar’s volunteers were stood down and returned to Torness shortly before 10pm, after spending a total of seven hours at sea.
Coxswain Gary Fairbairn said: ‘We were pleased to be able to assist in incidents on both sides of the River Forth.
‘Thankfully the rescue at Seacliff had a positive outcome. The RNLI’s advice if a dog enters the water is to resist the urge to go in after them. Instead, move to a place the dog can get to safely and call them – they might be able to get out themselves. Call 999 and ask for the coastguard immediately.’
Notes to editors
With photos
· Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth.
· Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.
· It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.
· A file photo of Dunbar’s lifeboats can be viewed here.
RNLI media contacts
Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Alexander Williams, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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