Lifeboat launched almost 50 times in 2023, RNLI crew reveals
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Almost 50 active launches were recorded by a lifesaving RNLI crew in 2023, it has revealed.
The RNLI's Kessock lifeboat, based in North Kessock, was paged 51 times last year and launched on 47 of those occasions.
And the grateful team behind the station have moved to thank the legion of volunteers and supporters who helped to keep the lifeboat ready for action – from fundraisers and donors to mechanics and everyone in-between.
Taking to their social media channels, the team at RNLI Kessock were eager to stress that every bit of support is appreciated.
"The point we are getting to is, we wouldn’t be here without our volunteers, but we also wouldn’t be here without every single one of you!" said a spokesperson. "We appreciate every bit of support, every donation, every comment, every share, every message wishing us well and 'safe home'.
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"So from everyone here at Kessock RNLI, we’d like to say thank you. Thank you to our wonderful and selfless volunteers and their families, thank you to our management teams and trainers, and thank you to our supporters. Together, we are one crew."
The team also highlighted the many people who help to keep a single lifeboat station running.
"Each launch is authorised by a launch authority, this person decides that it’s safe for the boat to be launched," they continued.
"Each launch consists for four volunteer crew on the lifeboat, two banksmen, a head launcher and a tractor driver. Extra boat crew and shore crew will attend as well in case we require a crew change and to assist in making the lifeboat ready for service on its return.
"Our water safety volunteers (a team of two) have delivered water safety messages to schools, cubs, scouts, brownies and other groups, totalling 1549 face to face interventions, as well as attending open days, galas and lifeboat events.
"Our fundraising team have gone above and beyond, raising tens of thousands of pounds locally, to ensure our crews have the best equipment which will enable them to carry out their roles safely, and to the best of their ability.
"Our volunteer crew have ran miles, driven to Monte Carlo, held quiz nights, and washed hundreds of cars to assist the fundraising team.
"We also have a mechanic, a press officer, and a lifeboat operations manager, also a volunteer role, who deals with the day to day running of the station, as well as ensuring we have enough boat crew, shore crew and tractor drivers."
They added that this shows the scale of support not just required but willingly given by not just the various volunteers, but also the members of the general public who help make everything possible.
