Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Station has had a comparatively calm year on the Solway Firth – despite a bumper influx of holidaymakers over the summer.
Usually more people enjoying the water translates into a busy time for the volunteer crew in terms of callouts and emergencies.
But, according to lifeboat operations manager John Collins, mercifully 2021 has been fairly benign.
He was unsure as to the reasons why the number of rescues were lower than may have been expected.
But settled weather conditions may provide a clue – over late spring and summer there were prolonged periods with practically no wind meaning either flat calm conditions or very low wave heights prevailed.
Mr Collins said: “It’s quite surprising that it was so quiet considering the number of people there have been around using the water.
“But after suspending training at the beginning of the year we are back doing full exercises again.
“We are still restricted by wearing masks and trying to keep the place Covid free.
“The actual boathouse itself is still closed to visitors.”
Meanwhile, Mr Collins’ wife Christine gave the News an end of year review of the RNLI’s operations at Kirkcudbright.
She said: “2021 started off in lockdown again with afloat exercises suspended until the end of March.
“The station has remained fully operational throughout the pandemic but most fundraising events have been cancelled due to the ongoing restrictions.
“Shore crew members Mike Merry and Keith Armstrong–Clark revived the emergency services 999 day on August 21.
“Despite it being the wettest day of the summer, it was a great success and we hope to stage the event annually as part of the Kirkcudbright summer festivities.
“The lifeboat was called out 12 times during the year, surprisingly quiet for the amount of visitors to the area and people on the water over the summer months.
“Incidents included two false alarms, two searches for missing or vulnerable persons, one callout to an injured person, two to persons in the water and five to vessels broken down or needing assistance.
“Our lifeboat Sheila Stenhouse is over 15 years old and has now gone for its final refit.
“The relief Atlantic 85 Ted Dawber will be on station until the end of February, 2022.”
Mrs Collins added: “The RNLI have been carrying out a feasibility study on our station this year with the 130-year-old boathouse in dire need of renovation.
“The report and recommendations are due to be released before the end of the year.
“The RNLI will carry out the five-yearly coastal review of all the lifeboat stations around the Solway in February, 2022.
“We hope to have more information on the future of the station by then.
“We are in a better position with crew numbers than we were at the start of the year.
“And three of our helms who were due to have retired this year have now extended their service.”
