By Ralph Barnett

THE CREWS of the Arbroath lifeboats Inchcape and Duncan Ferguson have had one of the busiest years ever in 2005, with 23 call-outs and 12 people saved from potentially life-threatening situations.

Barely a month passed during the year without one or both of the boats being launched, with September being the busiest period when four teenage boys had to be taken to safety after a cliff-jumping escapade and Stonehaven man Bobby Jackson was found dead after apparently falling overboard from his yacht off Carlingheugh Bay.

Apart from the four young cliff jumpers, Arbroath crews were also involved in rescuing five people whose speedboats had broken down of Lunan Bay and Auchmithie, a woman who was injured on the cliffs, another woman who became stranded by the incoming tide and a man who fell on to rocks from the harbour wall.

Alistair Sutherland of the Arbroath Lifeboat Management Group, said, “It has been a very busy year for us and, as is always the case, some of our shouts have had a positive outcome while others have had less than happy endings.

“The two most significant call-outs of 2005 happened, rather ironically, over just two days at the beginning of September.

“On September 1 the inshore lifeboat Duncan Ferguson was despatched to the foot of the cliff at Horseshoe Gulley where four young lads had become stranded on the rocks after indulging in a spot of cliff jumping—which, in itself, is a very dangerous activity which we would seriously discourage.

“The crew who took out the inshore lifeboat that evening to go to the assistance of these lads showed the sort of professionalism and commitment that the RNLI is rightly proud of, and pulled out all the stops to effect a successful rescue.

“The following day, and the day after that, both the Duncan Ferguson and the Inchcape were at sea following reports that a yachtsman from Stonehaven had got into difficulties between Arbroath and Lunan Bay.

“The yacht Anlatika was found drifting and unoccupied and was towed back to Arbroath harbour but unfortunately, despite extensive searches being carried out by ourselves and the Coastguard, no trace of him was found until his body was recovered from the sea on September 15.

“All things considered, however, I think it was a successful year for the Arbroath RNLI station and I’m sure the people of the town and the surrounding area would want to join me in thanking them for their dedicated service over the past 12 months and wishing them a safe 2006.”