Dunbar RNLI’s newest lifesaver prepares to answer the call this Christmas

On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.

Dunbar’s newest recruit Paul Muspratt is one of many RNLI volunteers preparing for their first Christmas on-call.

Paul, 55, an IT consultant, was recently handed his pager after joining the crew a year ago and experienced his first ‘shout’ on Sunday 8 December, when both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched in high winds and a four-metre swell following a report of a casualty on rocks.

Paul was just finishing a family lunch when the pager went off. He said: ‘Strangely, as I dashed to the station, I was remarkably calm. I was a bit surprised to be picked but I was keen to go … even if it was tinged with some trepidation.’

Both lifeboats were quickly stood down after the casualty self-recovered to shore, but Paul added: ‘Conditions were definitely lively. The worst part was actually when we were going the slowest, outside the entrance to Dunbar Harbour. Sitting in the swell with the boat rolling form side to side was not pleasant!’

Paul, whose wife Alison volunteers in Dunbar RNLI’s shop, wanted to join the crew after finding out first hand what it’s like to need assistance when in trouble at sea. Paul, originally from Thame, Oxfordshire, was taking part in an epic 11-month Clipper Round the World Race in 2009 when his 68ft sailboat was hit by a rogue wave.

He said: ‘We were in the middle of the North Pacific when we were capsized and the mast snapped when she righted. With no mast or means of communication, we activated our emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and the US Coastguard sent a plane from Alaska to find us. They dropped supplies and a radio to us and arranged for a commercial ship to rendezvous and take two casualties off the boat. Two boats from the clipper fleet were also diverted to escort us to San Francisco, which took about two weeks under engine power.

‘Knowing what it is like to be on the receiving end of such assistance, I wanted to give something back and when I saw a Facebook advert asking for volunteer crew members at Dunbar I signed up.’

For Paul it will be a new experience this Christmas as, like the majority of the RNLI’s volunteers, he will be on call 24/7 over the festive period. He said: ‘This Christmas, we will be hosting Ally’s family but at the back of my mind will be the thought that the pager could go off at any moment and we need to respond.’

He added: ‘We moved to Dunbar three and a half years ago and joining the lifeboat crew has been like meeting a new family. It’s been a good way to meet people and feel part of the community.’

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit:RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.

Notes to Editors

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.

RNLI media contacts

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, 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 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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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.