
Dunbar RNLI Lifeboat Queen Katie continues strong tradition of sea safety
Dunbar RNLI’s new Lifeboat Queen Katie McDougall knows all about sea safety – because it has run in her family for generations.
Katie’s dad Iain, a joiner, has been a volunteer for on the crew for 13 years and before that served the Coastguard for 26 years. Her mum Angie, a former police officer and current manager of the town library, was also a Coastguard volunteer, while her late grandfather Andrew McDougall gave 19 years’ service to the Coastguard, including spending time as a lookout in the old station at the castle.
For Dunbar Grammar School pupil Katie, 15, this year’s Lifeboat Fete will be her first experience of being part of the queen’s court and she said: ‘It’s something I’m really looking forward to. Growing up it was always something I wanted to do. I’m especially looking forward to having a ride in a vintage car.’
Joining Katie in this year’s court are the queen’s consort, Alex Lamb, 12, whose dad Jamie was both an all-weather lifeboat coxswain and D class helm during his time on the crew, and pageboy DJ McCathie, 11, a member of the Fairbairn family whose long connection to the crew dates back to his great-great-great-great grandfather, the decorated coxswain Walter Fairbairn. This year’s herald is Logan Reid, 11, whose papa Stuart Thomson worked for former Lifeboat Operations Manager Davie Lees, while his great aunt is former crew member and current Fundraising Committee member Lyndi Anderson. Flower girl duties are being shared this year by Martha Eunson, five, whose dad John-Robert is on the lifeboat crew and Water Safety Officer, and Leah Sharp, six, whose grandad Davie Koch is a former crew member and current tractor driver and shore crew member.
The Lifeboat Fete will be held on Saturday 20 July. The parade along the High Street begins from the Hillside Hotel at 1.15pm, before the crowing of the queen takes place at the harbour at 2pm.
Among the fun and games at the harbour will be a chance to meet our volunteer lifeboat crew and step aboard and tour our all-weather lifeboat. Entertainment will be provided by Logan’s Close, Pulse, Dunbar Sings, Barnstorm and Room 27. Vintage cars and Harley Davidson motorbikes will be on show and there will be numerous stalls to browse, as well as archery and children’s amusements.
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]
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 over 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 142,200 lives.
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [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.
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.