A first call-out for Kirkcudbright volunteer Tom
The RNLI pagers have no regard for holidays as RNLI volunteer crew member Tom discovered on his first “shout” in Kirkcudbright.
Just after 10.00am on Saturday (23 May) the pager sounded. The town was very busy due to the bank holiday and the local Half Marathon, however, despite most of the crew having to navigate the delays on the bridge in Kirkcudbright a crew was assembled quickly.
A small motor boat was in difficulty near Auchenlarie. The RNLB Sheila Stenhouse was readied and launched from her temporary mooring on the pontoon on the river.
Arriving on scene the crew only had to provide support, and stood by, as the owner of the vessel managed to make their way ashore.
The Atlantic 85 then returned to the pontoon where it was re-fuelled by the shore crew and made ready for the next shout or exercise.
Tom, who has only recently returned for his Crew Emergency Procedure Training at Poole, said
'When the pager goes, you never know who else is available or if you’ll be called on but you respond as quickly as you can - just in case. It was good to get my first shout under my belt and even more importantly a happy outcome for all involved.'
The RNLI volunteers are ready 24/7 365 days a year to launch whenever required.
The short video shows the crew leaving the pontoon and making their way to Auchenlarie.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Christine Collins, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [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, 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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