Category: Person(s) In Danger - Anstruther Lifeboat

Rescue of Windsurfer 10 miles off the Coast

28/8/2020

No 22 and 23/2020
28/8/2020

ILB & ALB

HMCG requested launch of ILB to search for windsurfer reported to be in difficulty spotted by first informant using telescope from Anstruther.

ILB launched but given the sea state the search conditions were not good and requested the launch of the ALB to assist in the search.
ILB eventually located the casualty who was struggling in the conditions to windsurf.

Click/tap the picture to see the full report and watch a video of the action

The casualty was taken on board the ILB and sail de-rig after discussion and assisted him to Dunbar as the nearest port.

HMCG contacted LOM at Dunbar to make him aware of ALB & ILB operating in their local area, ALB coxswain also made contact to gain advice on local knowledge and weather condition at harbour / beach area.
The decision was made to launch Dunbar ILB to assist with the casualty & board for safe entry of ILB into Dunbar harbour.

The casualty was landed safely and ILB refuelled with assistance of Dunbar crew, both ILB exited the harbour while Anstruther ILB rejoined the ALB for 14.5 mile transit back to Anstruther where both boats were rehoused, then sanitised along with the station before notify HMCG ready for service.

Conditions
Weather          Part Cloudy
Visibility           Good
Wind Force     4 Mod breeze
Wind dir           NE
Sea state         Mod/chop

Person Fallen from Forth Road Bridge

27/8/2020

No 21/2020

DATE 27/08/20 02:14 – 09:00

ALB

Request from HMCG to launch ALB to assist search for person fallen from Forth Road Bridge, Queensferry & Kinghorn also tasked. No helicopter assistance was available.
Person had fallen 2.5 hrs previously (hence all assets being requested)
ALB had Low water launch then making best speed.
Casualty located by Queensferry Lifeboat crew, ALB tasked to continue until Queensferry crew confirmed extraction will be possible.
ALB stood down at Fairway Buoy and returned to Anstruther and lay in harbour until sufficient water to rehouse and crew recalled.
Lifeboat & station sanitised before informing the CG.
Conditions
Weather          Part Cloudy
Visibility           Good
Wind Force     Light breeze
Wind dir           E
Sea state         Slight

Forth Road Bridge at night

Young Male in difficulties

22/8/2020

No 20/2020
DATE 22/08/20 19:42 – 20:30

ILB

Request from HMCG to launch ILB to assist a young male in difficulties on the seaward side of the wet pier at Anstruther.
ILB was made ready for launch when telephone message was received that a local fishing vessel had rescued the casualty.
ILB was stood down while HMCG & LOM spoke with first informant and the casualty along with Police Scotland.
Lifeboat and station sanitised before crew left and HMCG notified.

Conditions
Weather          Part Cloudy
Visibility           Good
Wind Force     Light breeze
Wind dir           SW
Sea state         Slight

Search for Missing Man

11/8/2020

No 17 & 18/2020
DATE 11/08/20 22:47 – 01:15 and 06:30 – 07:50

ALB & ILB

Request from HMCG to assist Police Scotland on the East pier, Anstruther with a person in distress.

Both boats launched with very poor visibility to search coastline, while on scene the Police & Coastguard located the casualty and he was taken into custody.

Lifeboats returned to Anstruther, ALB crew were recalled to re-house later.

Crew, Lifeboats and station sanitised before notifying the Coastguard

Conditions
Weather          Rain
Visibility           Poor
Wind Force     1 Light airs
Wind dir           NE
Sea state         Calm

Assistance to Police Scotland

7/8/2020

No 15/2020
DATE 07/08/20 00:32 – 02:35

ILB

ILB requested to launch by HMCG and stand off to assist Police Scotland on East Pier Anstruther, a male with a history of violence & mental health problems, threatening to jump,

The ILB crew to assist if he entered the water with HMCG & Police present.

Stood down at 0200hrs and returned to station, sanitised the ILB, crew & station before being ready for service

Conditions
Weather          Part Cloudy
Visibility           Good
Wind Force     1 Light airs
Wind dir           SW
Sea state         Smooth

Search for Kite Surfer

13/7/2020

No13 &14/2020
DATE 31/07/20 16:27 – 18:45

ILB &ALB

Request to launch ILB & ALB to reports of kite surfer drifting out to sea off Elie. Lifeguards were on shore line
Both boats launched and searched the area until stood down by HMCG and returned to Anstruther.
Lifeboat, crew and station sanitised before notifying the Coastguard

False alarm with good intent

Conditions
Weather          Clear skies
Visibility           Good
Wind Force     2 Light breeze
Wind dir           SW
Sea state         Slight

People in danger on rocks

7/6/2020

No 11/2020
DATE 07/06/20 12:48 – 13:10

ILB

Launch requested of ILB by HMCG after phone call from a member of the public who
had sighted two persons stuck on rocks off Cellardyke.
ILB launched and located casualties within minutes, an adult female, child and dog.
Casualties were taken on board and returned to Anstruther Lifeboat Station, HMCG
on scene at station to gather details.

ILB and station sanitised prior to notifying Coastguard that they were ready for
service.

Conditions
Weather Part cloudy
Visibility Good
Wind Force 3 Gentle breeze
Wind direction NE
Sea Mod/chop
Signed

Evacuation of fallen male on rocks

1/6/2020

Nos 07 and 8/2020
DATE 01/06/20 17:36 – 21:00

ILB and ALB

Launch of both boats requested by HMCG to locate and evacuate 21 year old male
who had fallen on rocks near Elie in the vicinity of the chain walk, though not on it.
ILB first on scene followed by ALB, ILB crew located the casualty and assisted by
HMCG CRT packaged the casualty in the RNLI orange basket stretcher transferred
from the ALB.
Casualty evacuated from the location on the ILB to Elie harbour escorted by and in
the wake of the ALB for comfort of the casualty.
Casualty handed over to Ambulance, both boats returned to station to rehouse.

ALB had to recall crew because of tidal situation.

Conditions
Weather Part cloudy
Visibility Good
Wind Force 3 Gentle breeze
Wind direction SE
Sea Moderate chop

Recovery of female who had fallen from cliffs

21/5/2020

No 6/2020
20/5/2020 16:15

ILB
Anstruther RNLI launched this afternoon (Wednesday 20 May) to the aid of a female who had fallen 20 feet from the Elie Chain Walk

The volunteers aboard the inshore lifeboat launched at 4.15pm and proceeded to the scene.

The casualty had sustained injuries to both ankles. After a medical assessment, a transfer by sea on the lifeboat was decided to be safest method of evacuation.

Click/tap the picture to see video of the rescue

The casualty sailed the short distance to neighbouring Shell Bay and was handed over to waiting paramedic and Coastguard teams.

This was the volunteer crews first call out in over 10 weeks and the first during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteer helm Barry Gourlay extended his thanks to his crew. Barry said: 'This was our first call out in over 10 weeks but that did not show. We train to a high standard and that training helped ensure we were able to execute this rescue swiftly and safely'

Conditions
Weather Part cloudy
Visibility Good
Wind Force 3 Gentle breeze
Wind direction SE
Sea Calm

Anstruther RNLI evacuate casualty from Elie chain walk

25/1/2020

No 1 and 2/2020
25/1/2020 14:01 to 16:00

ALB & ILB

Shortly after concluding a morning exercise, the volunteer crew at Anstruther RNLI were paged by the UK Coastguard to locate and evacuate a male stranded on the chain walk in Elie.

The stations all-weather lifeboat Kingdom of Fife and the inshore lifeboat Akira launched to a male who was stranded on the chain walk with an incoming tide. Both boats arrived on scene shortly after 2.30pm.

Click on the picture to view video of the rescue

The casualty was located in a nearby cave and was safely evacuated by the inshore lifeboat.

The casualty was transferred to the all-weather Lifeboat and assessed by crew. With no injuries reported, he was taken back to Elie harbour and handed over to the mobile coastguard team.

Talking about the rescue, Anstruther lifeboat coxswain Michael Bruce commended the actions of the casualty when he found himself in difficulty.

Michael said: ‘The chain walk is a popular local walk and this gentleman did exactly the right thing when in difficulty. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all coastal walkers to call for help if in difficulty rather than enter the water or scale the cliffs. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Both lifeboats return to station and made ready for service shortly after 4 pm.