Busy Week for Kippford RNLI Volunteers

The eventful week started just after 9pm on Wednesday 29th July when Kippford lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard to a possible sighting of people in the water near Castle Point. The volunteer crew quickly had lifeboat Ronnie Sinclair on the water and made best speed to the location. They were soon joined by Coastguard Rescue Officers from Kirkcudbright and Portling and a thorough search was carried out from the shore and water.

With no trace of anyone found and enquiries on the shore giving no indication of people outstanding in the area, the search was stood down. This was deemed to be a false alarm with good intent, and the first respondents were thanked for taking the time to make the call when they had concerns.

The following day volunteers returned to the lifeboat station to prepare for the annual open day. The crew worked to ensure everything was cleaned and ready to welcome visitors.

Saturday 1st August saw the doors to the lifeboat station open to the public. Inside our fundraising teams served tea, coffee and cake to visitors whilst the shop volunteers welcomed many people through the door.

Arriving in Kippford to join the event were RNLI lifeboats from Workington, Kirkcudbright and Silloth as well as the independent lifeboats and search dogs from Nith Inshore Rescue. Mooring up at the pontoon allowed excited visitors a close look at each of the different lifeboats and even the chance to step aboard the Shannon Class all weather lifeboat from Workington.

Meanwhile, on the shore everyone was treated to some rousing sea shanties performed by the Solway Bouys, a new addition to the event this year but one that was greatly appreciated by all in attendance. There was also plenty of opportunity to speak to our water safety team and for the children to try on some lifeboat kit.

To round off the event all lifeboats once again took to the water and provided a demonstration for the watching public. More than £1600 was raised at the event which helps to keep our volunteers safely kitted out and our lifeboat ready for action.

The weekend wasn’t finished yet, on Sunday 2nd August pagers rang out in the early afternoon, and our volunteers quickly made their way to the station once again. The lifeboat was tasked to assist two people and a dog who had been cut off by the incoming tide near Sandyhills beach. The weather was sunny and calm allowing the crew to make good speed to the location. The casualties were quickly spotted and taken on board the lifeboat. After confirming they were in good health, the volunteer crew returned them to shore to the waiting Coastguard Rescue Officer from Portling. The lifeboat was able to return to Kippford where it was refueled and made ready for service by the shore crew.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Gareth Jones, said “this was a busy week for Kippford lifeboat and our volunteers have given up many hours to help others and raise awareness of the lifesaving work of the RNLI. As a charity we rely on donations from the public and events like the open day directly contribute towards our ability to respond when someone is in trouble at sea. I’d like to thank everyone who came along to our open day as well as all of the volunteers who helped out.”