Invergordon Lifeboat’s first Lady that Launches

Earlier this month saw new volunteer recruit Jacqueline (Jac) Macfarlane successfully passed out as station Launch Authority becoming the first female in the stations history to hold the role, who now joins a team of 4 to ensure the stations all-weather Shannon Class Lifeboat RNLB Agnes AP Barr (RNLI 13-37) can launch when required.

The UK Coastguard contacts the lifeboat station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) or Launch Authority (LA). If a launch is agreed, the coastguard will then page the crew and Volunteer crew will drop everything – work, family, friends – to run to the rescue.

As the volunteers quickly make their way to the station, the LOM or LA, will begin collecting as much information as possible about the shout. From what they know, the coxswain of the lifeboat will assemble their crew.

On asking what inspired and motivated Jac to join the RNLI, she advised;

‘Water activities have always been a passion of mine, spending much of my 20’s and 30’s kayaking, learning basic sailing skills and swimming. During this time I also spent a lot of time climbing, mountaineering and mountain biking. Time in the mountains allowed me to witness the skills of the local mountain rescue team, and as my first experience of a volunteer rescue service, it opened my eyes to the commitment, skills and dedication shown by people who want to help others. Since moving to the Highlands and being surrounded by water I have discovered a passion for wild swimming and paddleboarding (badly!). Learning about sea safety during a Safer Sea Swimming Course demonstrated to me the need for people to be kept safe at sea whatever water activities they are participating in. This was particularly evident several years ago on the occasion of having to personally call the Coastguard to come to the rescue of a kite surfer on the Moray Firth. This was a fascinating insight into the work of the RNLI and the fact that despite the weather and sea state being atrocious, it made me appreciate the sacrifices that the lifeboat crew make on every rescue.

In 2023 I joined the Avoch Sea Scout Group as the Beaver Section Leader, which reignited my love of the water and a desire to learn more to support the Scouts and others on the water. This has led to me to achieve a number of RYA qualifications and to develop a love of being on the water in a variety of different craft and supporting others to do so. Outwith of this and the RNLI, I work full time in a Health role, am a busy parent, dog owner and currently making costumes for the local Christmas Panto!

So aside from my admiration of the RNLI from the call out to the Moray Firth, a conversation with an experienced volunteer in the Anstruther RNLI in 2023 and hearing how much he got out of being part of the team and how he had selflessly given up his time for decades, ignited my interest. It felt like fate when an advert then appeared for the RNLI Invergordon in the months following this conversation. At the time, I actually applied to become an Afloat Crew member, but living just outwith the response time, I was invited to consider the role of Launch Authority. I was initially disappointed, however, exploring the Launch Authority role in more detail, I discovered that it takes a lot more than just the Crew to launch a lifeboat, and that the Lauch Authority role is much more than just saying “yes” to the Coastguard, it’s about understanding tidal information, sea states, weather etc, and the rescue itself. If it’s unsafe, the Crew will not be authorised to launch. RNLI Invergordon is a fantastic team to be part of, and I feel very passionate about the work of the RNLI and I believe that by volunteering I can make a positive contribution and impact on the local community while also gaining valuable experience and skills. Women in Search and Rescue are outnumbered by our male colleagues, and so I am very proud to be the first female Launch Authority in Invergordon particularly during the 50^th Anniversary of the station, and the 200^th Anniversary of the RNLI.’

Andrew Shepherd, Lifeboat Operations Manager said ‘We are thrilled to have Jac onboard as Launch Authority, her commitment throughout her training as been second to none and shown true commitment and understanding, and we are glad she is part of our team here in Invergordon.’

Notes to editors

· Invergordon lifeboat station has been operating since 1974 and operates a Shannon Class Lifeboat – RNLB Agnes AP Barr (RNLI 13-37).

· Invergordon Lifeboat is the RNLI’s first Launch a Memory Lifeboat which carries 9500 names on her Port and Starboard decals.

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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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