Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat responds to 999 call from member of the public

HM Coastguard tasked the Kirkcudbright RNLI crew to check a 999 call from a member of the public who had spotted someone in the water near a capsized boat.

The Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat Sheila Stenhouse proceeded to the area and the dinghy was quickly located by a member of the volunteer crew. The two crew from the dinghy had managed to make their own way safely ashore. The Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat then, at the request of HM Coastguard, retrieved the dinghy and returned it to the nearest safe beach as it was deemed a danger to other craft.

The lifeboat then returned to the the station where it was re-housed, refuelled and prepared for the next launch.

Keith Armstrong Clark, DLA for Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat, who launched the boat says: 'I would like to thank the member of the public who raised the alarm by phoning 999 and asking for the coastguard, this allowed a quick response by the RNLI. In this instance it was thankfully a very good outcome.'

In Keith’s other role as RNLI Sea Safety Officer for Kirkcudbright and Kippford lifeboat stations, he is always happy to assist anyone going afloat with safety advise.

Notes to Editor

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Christine Collins, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Kirkcudbright RNLI on 07971160550 or email [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, Regional Media Officer (Scotland), on 07826 900639 or email [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Manager (Scotland), on 07920 365929 or email [email protected]

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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 142,700 lives.

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