Press Release

Local community and business support funds new lifeboat

23 April 2007

Anstruther’s newest RNLI lifeboat, funded by the Fife Rotary clubs and Anstruther community, will be officially accepted into the RNLI fleet this weekend. The traditional ceremony will be held at midday on Saturday 28 April, at the Anstruther RNLI lifeboat station.

Margery Eglinton, of St Andrews, whose late husband xx instigated a Fife wide Rotary Club project raising an amazing £15,000 to help fund the new D class RNLI lifeboat, will officially name her ‘Rotary Centenary Queen’.

Anstruther community raised the remaining £10,000 needed to fund the lifeboat through various fundraising initiatives. The local branch of Dunfermline Building Society has also kindly sponsored the naming ceremony.

The new inshore D class lifeboat, which first arrived on station in November 2006, is faster and has improved navigational capability than her predecessor. This class of lifeboat is ideal for rescues close to shore where larger lifeboats cannot operate.

David Rankin, Assistant Governor of the Rotary District 1010 says:
‘The Rotary Clubs in Fife have to be warmly congratulated for their sterling efforts in raising the £15,000.  This project is a culmination of the pooling of resources of the clubs in Fife and proves without a doubt that clubs working together can achieve much more. The project began in Rotary Centenary Year 2005-6 and has now finally borne fruit and once more stands out as a shining example of what can be done with dedication and hard work of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in general and epitomises our motto of Service Above Self.’

David Whitehead, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Anstruther RNLI lifeboat station says:
‘D class lifeboats are designed for rescues close to shore where larger lifeboats cannot operate due to obstacle such as rocks, breaking waves and shallow water. In 2005 we used a D class lifeboat in 16 searches during which 6 people were rescued. It will be a real asset to Anstruther RNLI lifeboat station helping us to reach those in need of help.

‘As a charity we rely on public donations and legacies to continue saving lives at sea.  We are very thankful to the Rotary clubs across Fife as well as the local community for their amazing support which has enabled the RNLI to buy a new D class lifeboat for Anstruther.’

Richard McLeod, Agency Manager of Dunfermline Building Society says: ‘The work of the RNLI and its many dedicated volunteers is greatly appreciated by Dunfermline Building Society. We are proud to be able to show our support for the coastal communities that the Anstruther station serves by sponsoring the launch ceremony of the new D class vessel ‘The Rotary Centenary Queen’.

‘It marks an event of great community importance, and will assist the committed local RNLI volunteers in providing a first class service to those who need it most.’

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