Four Rescued from Boat by Kinghorn RNLI

The UK Coastguard requested the launch of Kinghorn Lifeboat at 10.40am on Sunday morning after they received a 999 call from the casualty vessel reporting that they had run out of fuel. The small boat was drifting in the shipping channel off Burntisland, with three merchant ships approaching their location.

The lifeboat was quickly on scene and located the vessel with four people on board in foggy conditions.

Helm Scott McIlravie said, ‘We arrived on scene within five minutes of launching and found the vessel adrift. The boat, which was newly purchased, had run out of fuel during a pleasure trip. Due to the fast approaching ships we quickly set up a tow to move the small boat to safety out of the main channel.

‘The casualty then managed to phone a friend who was nearby on a jet ski and they brought some fuel to the small boat.

‘The engine was able to be restarted so we escorted the boat back to Burntisland bay where Kinghorn Coastguard team were waiting to assist.

‘When preparing to go to sea, we would always recommend that you thoroughly check your vessel for defects and to ensure there is sufficient fuel for your trip. This is particularly relevant if you have not used the boat for a while and it has been out of the water. You should also have life jackets, suitable clothing and a means of calling for help, particularly a VHF radio.

‘For further advice, please visit the RNLI website where further information and guidance is available.’

If you see anyone in trouble on the coast or at sea call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. UK Coastguard has a multitude of resources they can call on, including RNLI lifeboats.

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
• A video of an Atlantic 85 lifeboat can be viewed at http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/press_centre/videos/video_detail?articleid=321844&category=&region=&listing

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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.

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