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Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat’s speedy response to report of person in the water

Lifeboats News Release

The Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat was launched at 8.25pm on Sunday 6 August following a report of a person in the water.

It turned out to be a false alarm with good intent.

A man had entered the water in an isolated part of Fraserburgh Beach to rescue a seal and when the Coastguard arrived on scene they established that he was safe and well and the lifeboat was stood down.

Fraserburgh Lifeboat full time Coxswain/Mechanic Vic Sutherland praised his crew’s immediate and speedy response to the callout.

‘It was a big relief when we found out that no-one was in trouble in this instance and that the man was found safe and well’ said Vic ‘When you hear that there’s a person in the water at the beach in trouble you fear the worst and you can only pray and hope that you can get there on time. In situations like this every every second counts so I’m really pleased at how quickly and safely our crew of volunteers responded’

Coxswain/Mechanic Sutherland also commended the concerned and vigilant members of the public who raised the alarm and made the calls when they were worried about the man in the water.

‘If you’re in any kind of doubt at all we’d always rather you make the call and we can go and check it out. Seconds can make the difference in situations like this and its better to be safe than sorry’

'It is often down to the vigilance of the public, calling 999 when they see someone in trouble, that we are able to save lives at sea'

‘If you do get into difficulty or see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Notes to editors

· Fraserburgh lifeboat station has been operating since 1858. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/fraserburgh-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Billy Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Stuart Fenty, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

RNLI/David Buchan

Fraserburgh RNLI crew aboard relief lifeboat Windsor Runner (Civil Service No.42) leaving Fraserburgh Harbour to a report of a person in the water at a nearby beach.

RNLI/Billy Watson

Full time Coxswain/Mechanic Vic Sutherland moments after being paged on his way to the lifeboat.‘In situations like this a few seconds can make all the difference’.

RNLI/Billy Watson

There was no time to lose as RNLI Fraserburgh volunteers race along the pier to man the lifeboat.

RNLI/David Buchan

The lifeboat makes its way up the channel.

RNLI/Start Ross

RNLI Volunteer Gubby Duncan prepares the XP boat ready for possible deployment.

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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