Latest news with #KirkcudbrightRNLI
Daily Record
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Fundraising campaign aims to secure future of vital Dumfries and Galloway rescue service
Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue Boat needs to make changes so it can once again be called out by the Coastguard. A fundraising campaign has been launched to secure the future of a vital rescue service. Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue Boat has been running for more than half a century, helping to save lives along the Solway coast. However, the Coastguard has been unable to officially call it into action for more than 18 months as it no longer meets their criteria. Now, efforts are being made to raise the funds needed to help put that right. Duncan McConchie, who runs the boat with brothers John and Murray, said: 'The Coastguard won't task us, even though we've been operating in this area for 51 years. 'We're launched within 10 minutes but there's so much bureaucracy and protocols, they have so much liability that the second they ask us to respond they need to know our boat complies with the rescue boat code. 'There's been two deaths in this bay in the last three months. One of them wouldn't have made any difference if we were there quicker but the other one probably would. 'It's vital we operate. We don't know how we're going to get to that stage – we've got meetings coming up with the Coastguard on site. 'It's a family and community run thing, but it will need to be much more structured to tick all the boxes. 'We don't know what that will cost, we don't know what we have to do yet. 'We've got a few months of fact finding to decide how we're going to move forward. 'The boat is eight minutes from Gatehouse, which is our nearest population, so to take on other crew will slow down launch procedures. It was just me and my brothers before so that will probably have to change as well. 'The aim is for the start of next season we'll have a boat that's operational that covers Fleet Bay and Wigtown Bay and a crew that is fully skilled and ready to go. 'There's a lot to do but it will be very much worth it.' The voluntary Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue Boat was established in 1974 after concerns from holiday park owners in the area about a need for a rescue service. It is based at Mossyard and covers both Fleet Bay and Wigtown Bay, with fundraising, donations and contributions from park owners covering running costs. However, since the end of 2023 the Coastguard have been unable to call upon it officially as it doesn't comply with the 160-page rescue boat code. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. In May this year, a search for Gatehouse man Garry Turnbull – who had failed to return from a sailing trip – sadly ended with the 72-year-old's body being found. In July this year, kayaker Ken Myles died in Carrick Bay after suffering a medical episode while trying to help another kayaker. Duncan, who runs Laggan near Gatehouse, said: 'We have a great working relationship with Kirkcudbright RNLI but they're based at the harbour at the moment. 'In May, when we were searching for Garry Turnbull, the lifeboat lost a propeller on the way out of the harbour because it was so shallow and it took them quite a while to get to us.' The boat's committee is currently in the process of registering as a charity so they can apply for grants – be that for boat upgrades, a new boat or further training. Mr Turnbull's family have raised more than £3,500 for the cause and Mr Myles' have raised more than £7,000, which is for the rescue team and also a defibrillator. Duncan's sister-in-law, Amy McConchie, runs 1littlefarm shop at Mossyard and is holding a ticketed food feast fundraiser for the boat on Saturday, August 23. And a justgiving page has also been launched so people can donate at JustGiving.
Daily Record
29-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Phenomenal fundraising for Kirkcudbright Lifeboat station upgrade in line for an award
The appeal has raised an incredible £120,000 and has been nominated for the Scottish Fundraising Awards. The phenomenal fundraising towards a refurbished lifeboat station in Kirkcudbright is in line for an award. The project to raise £50,000 towards the upgrades to the Victorian boathouse at Torrs Point have been nominated for the best use of event or community fundraising initiative prize at the Scottish Fundraising Awards. The station was built in 1892 and the appeal aims to bring it up to spec for the 21st century by upgrading toilets and changing areas and providing a dedicated workshop so the volunteer team can maintain the lifeboat. And the appeal has proven so successful that, 12 months after it was launched, fundraisers at Kirkcudbright RNLI had raised an incredible £120,000. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. President of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright RNLI fundraising group, May Brown, said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for best use of event or community fundraising initiative at the Scottish Fundraising Awards, an annual event to recognise and reward excellent in fundraising and celebrate the achievements of our amazing volunteer fundraiser. 'I would like to thank all of our fundraisers, as well as the local community, for their continued support for our new boathouse appeal.' Volunteers from Kirkcudbright RNLI will attend the awards gala evening on Tuesday, September 23.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Kirkcudbright business continues long-standing support of lifeboat crew
West Coast Sea Products donated £1,000 to Kirkcudbright RNLI at the launch of their new boat. A Kirkcudbright business has continued its long-standing support of the town's lifeboat crew. West Coast Sea Products donated £1,000 to the fundraising campaign for a new lifeboat station extension at the launch of their new boat the Halcyon recently. It is tradition for the price of the first bag of scallops to be presented to charity when a new boat is launched. Director and company secretary, Jackie King, said: 'Spanning three generations the King family has not only embraced the challenges of fishing but also contributed to the long history of Kirkcudbright RNLI, its station and crew, ensuring its readiness to serve those in need at sea. 'Their legacy as fishermen reflects a deep connection to the sea.' West Coast Sea Products was founded by John King, known to many as Jock. He was a crew member on the lifeboat and also deputy launch authority in the 1980s and 1990s, generously providing the land for the current crewroom at Dee Road. Retired crew member and honorary secretary, Rab Thomson, said: 'John King was bowman on two Kirkcudbright lifeboats – the JB Cooper of Glasgow, in late 1959, and then on the Mary Pullman when she succeeded the JB Cooper in 1965. 'I remember when he used his first small boat called Seoladair to learn how to tow a fishing net in the Kirkcudbright Bay waters. 'I had the pleasure to be a crewman on a couple of occasions while I was still at school in 1958. John was present on the J B Cooper in 1962 when the Kirkcudbright lifeboat was celebrating its 100th anniversary.' Jock's son John is managing director at West Coast Sea Products and presented the cheque to Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat operations manager John Collins at Saturday's ceremony. And John's nephew – the late Jock's grandson – Jack Finlay is one of the newest recruits to the crew.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Coastguard search for missing dinghy off Solway Coast
A search has been taking place for an "overdue vessel" off the Solway Coastguard was called out to reports of what is understood to be a missing dinghy off Wigtown Bay on Tuesday at about 19: teams from Ballantrae, Isle of Whithorn, Kirkcudbright, Portling, Stranraer and Portpatrick were sent alongside a search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick and Kirkcudbright RNLI were also called out to the incident. The coastguard said the search was suspended at about 01:00 on Wednesday but was set to resume.
