The lifeboat undertook a search of the area, along with Fisherrow Coastguard Rescue Team, but it was soon established that the rowing boat had made it ashore, and there had not been any issue.
On arrival back in Kinghorn Bay, the crew spotted a gannet which appeared distressed in the water. On closer inspection, it was found to be tangled in string with another bird, which was dead.
Crewmember, Neil Chalmers explained, ‘We spotted the bird which appeared to be dragging an object. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a dead gannet, which had been tangled with the live bird, due to green polypropylene string.
‘The lifeboat was manoeuvred alongside the birds, and they were brought onboard. The two birds were separated, and the live gannet brought ashore.
‘The string was removed from around its wing, and it was kept calm whilst the Scottish SPCA attended the boat house to take the bird away to their Fishcross facility for further treatment.
‘This was a great example of teamwork to get the boat alongside, and then to get the birds into the boat, without further injury to the gannet, or the crew. It was still keen to peck and bite!’
Kinghorn lifeboat station is manned entirely by volunteers, and the station has a busy summer ahead. Preparations are well underway for our Open Day on Saturday 16th July.
Notes to editors
Kinghorn lifeboat station has been operating since 1965. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/kinghorn
Photo shows the gannet with crewmembers
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please telephone Neil Chalmers, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07767 380274 or [email protected] or Richard Smith on 07786 668903 or at [email protected] Henry Weaver on 07771 943026 or at [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
