Kinghorn RNLI Lifeboat Open Day Shines

A huge turnout of supporters enjoyed the sunshine and warm temperatures whilst being entertained by many stalls and attractions. The lifeboat crew put on a demonstration of their skills alongside RNLI lifeguards and Kinghorn Coastguard Rescue Team members.

It wasn’t long before the lifeboat launched for a callout, around 1pm, following the grounding of a yacht off Leith. The vessel was successfully re-floated on the incoming tide and carried on its way.

Shortly after 3.30pm the pagers sounded for a second time following reports of a seven-year-old child haven been blown offshore in an inflatable at Longniddry. The lifeboat arrived soon after, but the child had safely made it ashore.

The event was opened by the royal party from the town’s children’s gala. Later, the tug Dalmeny from Hound Point put on a spectacular display, showing her fire-fighting capabilities and manoeuvrability. Supporters were also treated to display by Newfoundland rescue dogs.

Onshore, the local Coastguard Rescue Team displayed their equipment, and the Lang Toun Model Boat club demonstrated their boats. Local group Kinghorn Coastal Rowing showed their vessel Yolande and British Divers Marine Life Rescue attended to tell people about their service. This was complemented by traditional stalls including home baking, plants, and lifeboat gifts.

Sheona Smith, fundraising chairperson said, ‘Our Open Day was a fabulous success with over £5,500 raised. The weather was much kinder this year, and the number of supporters who attended was fantastic.

‘As was demonstrated twice during the event, our lifeboat is always ready to launch, and fundraising events are essential to keep this service operational.

‘It costs around £95,000 per year to run a station like Kinghorn. Coupled with annual training costs of around £1,600 per crew member, we continually need to raise money.

‘I would like to thank everyone who came along, as well as our partner organisations and volunteers who helped the day run smoothly.’

Notes to editors

• Kinghorn lifeboat station has been operating since 1965. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/kinghorn
• Attached photos show the some of the displays and attractions from the Open Day.

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For more information please telephone Neil Chalmers, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07767 380274 or [email protected] or Henry Weaver [email protected] or Gemma McDonald on 01738 642956 [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 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 142,700 lives.

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