North Berwick RNLI’s siblings launch together on call out.
Sunday 12 May saw the Selby siblings side by side on a call out for the first time as the RNLI’s volunteers were launched to people in the water at Gullane bay.
The volunteer crew at North Berwick RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) were paged for an immediate launch at 3.23pm on Sunday, 12 May. Reports had been received that there were two children being blown out to sea on a paddleboard off Gullane beach with people entering the water to try and rescue them.
An immediate launch requires a rapid response with Steven and Vikki Selby arriving first at the lifeboat station. Joined by Helm Fraser Fulton they launched the relief inshore lifeboat Robleen within minutes.
The crew made their way to Gullane, five nautical miles to the west of the station, but were stood down on arrival as the casualties were safely back on shore. The casualties were checked over by members of the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team on shore.
Steven has been in the crew for 10 years with Vikki joining a few years ago, graduating to the boat crew from shore crew a year ago. This is the first time that they have launched together on a service call.
They both grew up taking part in various water sports with their parents. Steven is a Sound Engineer and at times travels all over the world supporting different productions. Vikki is a musical theatre performer and currently boat manager a with local tour boat company with Steven also working as a Skipper.
Vikki grew up watching her brother respond to his pager and living near to the lifeboat station, felt drawn to joining the crew. Once she was finished with her studies at The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film amd Television she returned to North Berwick and joined the crew.
When asked about today’s service Vikki said “ It didn’t feel that different but I did feel secure knowing I was with Steven and Fraser and with their experience I knew I’d be guided well.”
“It’s so important if you see someone in difficulty to call 999 and ask for the coastguard as soon as possible.”
“The RNLI is funded by charitable contributions, if you want to support North Berwick Lifeboat our summer coffee morning is 10-12 at the Hoperooms in North Berwick on Saturday 18 May come join us.”
Steven added, “I wasn’t sure what it’d be like launching on a call out with Vikki, fortunately, the high level of training from the RNLI meant that we both knew our roles and what to expect.”
“Information came through on route to the scene so our plan was constantly developing on the boat to make sure we were ready for whatever we were going to, working as a team to ensure the best outcome for the casualties.”
- It costs £1,400 a year to train each crew member in the lifesaving skills they need to answer the call for help.
- 97% of the RNLI’s frontline lifesavers are volunteers including over 5,700 lifeboat crew members.
- In 2022 it cost the RNLI £188M to run it’s charitable lifesaving service, 6 in 10 of the lifeboat launches were funded by generous supporters leaving the RNLI a gift in their will.
- Library footage and images of North Berwick RNLI are available on request, please use the contacts below.
Media contacts
Rhona Meikle, Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick, [email protected]
Matthew Gibbons, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick, [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
24 hour RNLI Central Press Office, 01202 336789 or email [email protected]
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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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.