
Training session leads to successful rescue for Kippford RNLI
The volunteer crew at Kippford RNLI were out for a regular Sunday training session on Sunday 23 June 2024 when they came across a boat in difficulties.
Kippford RNLI launched their D Class lifeboat Ronnie Sinclair for a scheduled training exercise with three volunteer crew members on board. It was a bright sunny day with a light wind and a large number of boats were already on the water around Kippford enjoying the day.
The planned training involved using the navigational equipment on board the lifeboat to plot a safe route and identify local landmarks. Proceeding around Hestan Island and Auchencairn Bay a number of other boats were observed in the area. After completing the planned navigation, the lifeboat was returning towards Kippford when the crew spotted a vessel waving to attract their attention.
Upon approach the volunteer lifeboat crew were able to establish that the engine had failed on the small rib. The two people on board were safe and well but due to the wind and tide had drifted quite a distance across the bay. They were well prepared with lifejackets and a means to call for help but were fortunate enough to spot the Kippford lifeboat in the vicinity.
After assessing the situation, and in consultation with the UK Coastguard, the helm carried out a dynamic risk assessment and decided there was a risk danger to navigation and a tow was the safest option.
Volunteer Helm, Ross, instructed the crew to set up a tow line which was passed to the adjacent rib. Both boats proceeded at a steady pace towards the shoreline.
Both passengers on the rib were in good spirits and were able to row the final few metres back and safely recover their boat.
After seeing the rib safely ashore, the Kippford RNLI crew returned to the lifeboat station where the boat was washed, refuelled and made ready for service again.
Volunteer Helm, Ross Kennedy, said: ‘It was great to see the occupants of this boat were well prepared with safety and communications equipment. Even if we had not been passing at that moment they would have been able to contact the coastguard and receive assistance from the RNLI. It was a great outcome for the crew and the people on board the boat.’
Notes to editors
· Kippford Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/kippford-lifeboat-station
· Photos show the broken down rib as the lifeboat approached and the rib under tow
RNLI media contacts
Laura Wilson, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07756 125917, [email protected]
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, 01202 336789
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.