On Friday afternoon, 29 August around 3pm volunteers from North Berwick RNLI launched the charity relief lifeboat, the Gentle JEKYM.
This was a response to a 10-year-old who spotted a potential emergency and promptly called 999 for the Coastguard.
The 10 year old boy was on the beach in Milsey Bay, North Berwick when he spotted what he thought to be an inflatable with one person on board drifting out to see in the light offshore winds. He called 999 for the Coastguard, with Watch Officers in the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Aberdeen able to gain all the information they needed to task North Berwick RNLI Lifeboat’s volunteers.
The lifeboat was on the water within 8 minutes conducting a search of the area and identifying the vessel of concern, with members of North Berwick’s Coastguard Rescue Team confirming with the first informant. The vessel was established not to be in any difficulty with an engine to get back to shore.
Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Ricky Martin said: ‘Whilst this turned out to be a false alarm, it was impressive to hear that the 10 year old was able to act when he thought he saw an emergency unfolding. Many adults don’t know to call the Coastguard in a coastal emergency, so we are pleased the safety messaging is reaching young people.’
‘We’d like to extend an invite to the station to the first informant so that we can thank him for his swift actions.’
North Berwick’s volunteer lifeboat crew were also involved in assisting a dog back to shore on Sunday (31 August). Whilst on exercise the crew were waved down by members of the public at Freshwater Haven, Gullane and alerted to a dog swimming out to sea. To prevent the owner entering the water after it, the lifeboat shepherded the dog the 200m back to shore, where the owner re-attached the lead.
The RNLI cautions against entering the water to rescue a dog which can be very dangerous, and say people should always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if a dog swims off in the sea.
The North Berwick and Gullane Fundraising Branch are putting on a Silent Auction in aid of the RNLI on Saturday 13 September with a star lot of a stay in a New York Penthouse valued at £6,000. Tickets are £27 including a drink on arrival and meal at the Glen Golf Club, North Berwick 7-10pm.
