Lifeboat crew called out to four rescues in run up to annual fundraiser
Four different call outs took place over five days ahead of Portpatrick Lifeboat Week
It’s all go at Portpatrick RNLI Station, as the town's annual lifeboat week fundraiser gets underway once again.
But, crews haven’t had much chance to rest ahead of the big week, making four rescues over just five days, from Tuesday the 25th until Sunday the 30th of July.
The stations’ all-weather Tamar class lisfeboat the ‘John Buchanan Barr’ was launched to assist yachts on two occasions, as well as helping a lone sailor and a distressed kayaker, in separate incidents.
When the most recent shout came through, crews had been busy hanging flags for ‘lifeboat week’, but swiftly jumped into action.
The team were tasked along with Stranraer RNLI Lifeboat, Port William Inshore Rescue and HM Coastguard teams from Portpatrick, Stranraer, Drummore and Ballantrae to assist in a search of Luce Bay for a kayaker who had left New England Bay that morning, and had failed to return home.
A coastguard helicopter also joined the effort search, and the casualty was eventually found before being airlifted to safety and onward to hospital for checks.
Portpatrick RNLI lifeboat then recovered the kayak from the water, before returning to harbour where it was refuelled and ready for service once again.
People are urged to 'Respect the Water'
Robert McQueen, Coxswain at Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat said: “It has been a busy few days for our volunteer crew, at times, under challenging conditions.
“Thankfully all these incidents had a positive outcome. However, it does serve as a timely reminder to anyone undertaking activities on or around the water to always carry a means of calling for help and to check the weather and tides before heading out.
“Myself and the crew are now hoping for a less eventful week operationally as we host Lifeboat Week, but we are all still on the pager and all fundraising events will be subject to operational requirements.”
The station are glad to be underway with their popular fundraising week, telling us it has become an important date in the calendar for locals and those further afield.
The RNLI rely on public support to continue to save lives at sea. People can show support by attending one of the many events this week.
Daily schedules are posted on Portpatrick Lifeboat Facebook page, however all events will be subject to operational requirements.