Capsized angler used RNLI’s ‘Float to Live’ technique until help arrived
An angler whose small boat capsized sending him into the water at Skateraw today (Friday 11 July) used the RNLI’s ‘Float to Live’ technique to stay afloat until he could be rescued.
Dunbar’s RNLI volunteers were busy preparing for their annual Lifeboat Fete tomorrow (Saturday) in the harbour when UK Coastguard requested the station’s two lifeboats launch after receiving a report of a person in the water at 2.05pm.
Two friends had gone afloat in separate small inflatable boats from Skateraw Harbour when one boat capsized sending the angler into the water. After the buoyancy aid he was believed to be wearing proved ineffective, he adopted the ‘Float to Live’ position, lying back in the water, with ears submerged and moving arms and legs in a star-fish shape to stay afloat.
The all-weather Trent class lifeboat John Neville Taylor launched from nearby Torness Power Station, while the inshore D class lifeboat David Lauder launched from Dunbar Harbour.
Both were quickly on scene. By then, the angler had been helped ashore by his friend and others nearby. Also on scene were coastguard teams from Dunbar, North Berwick and Eyemouth and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Dunbar’s inshore crew assisted in recovering the angler’s boat.
Dunbar coxswain Gary Fairbairn said: ‘While we would urge anyone going afloat to wear an effective lifejacket, it was heartening to hear this casualty knew the “Float to Live” technique and stayed calm until help arrived.
‘Our volunteers were busy preparing the harbour for the fete – our biggest fundraiser of the year – when the pagers went off, so we were able to respond quickly.’
If you see anyone in trouble in the water call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
Notes to editors
With photos
· Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth.
· Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.
· It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.
· A file photo of Dunbar’s lifeboats can be viewed here.
RNLI media contacts
Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Alexander Williams, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [email protected]
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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