Local business with 3 generation link to Kirkcudbright RNLI donate to appeal
A local business with a 3 generation connection to Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Station has donated to the boathouse extension appeal to celebrate the launch of a new fishing boat - the Halcyon.
On Saturday 31 May 2025, John Collins, Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager was delighted to receive a cheque from John King, Managing Director of West Coast Sea Products Limited at the naming ceremony of their new fishing vessel the “Halcyon”.
Traditionally the price of the first bag of scallops is presented to a local charity on the launch of one of their new boats. The £1000 donation is to go to the Kirkcudbright RNLI Boathouse Extension Appeal, continuing the long association the King family has with Kirkcudbright Lifeboat.
Jackie King, Director and Company Secretary 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.'
John’s father also John King, (known by many locals as “Jock”) founded West Coast Sea products and was a crew member on the lifeboat. Rab Thomson a retired RNLI crew member and Hon Sec remembers him well.
He says:
'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. The attached photo shows the ceremony at the harbour. By that time, no doubt he was very busy having acquired craft to fish for scallops.'
Jock’s association with Kirkcudbright RNLI continued into the 80s and early 90s when he was also a deputy launch authority and also very generously gave the RNLI the land to build its current crewroom at Dee Road next to West Coast Sea Products Ltd.
The close connection with Kirkcudbright RNLI continues with one of the newest recruits to Kirkcudbright lifeboat being Jack Finlay who is John King’s nephew and the late “Jock’s” grandson.
The volunteer crew at Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station are delighted that John has chosen to continue this association with this donation to Kirkcudbright Boathouse Appeal.
To donate please use the link below: https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/kirkcudbright-appeal
RNLI media contacts
Christine Collins, Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Press Officer, 07971160550 [email protected] or [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, 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.