3 days ago
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.
