Arbroath’s all-weather lifeboat could be back in service within weeks.
Several months after the Mersey-class Inchcape was grounded in a row which engulfed the local crew and cost the long-serving coxswain his job, RNLI chiefs have said they hope the station’s full capability will return by the end of next month.
The organisation is now close to appointing a full-time coxswain/mechanic for what those connected with the lifesaving service locally hope will be a new era for the local crew.
The new leader will replace Tommy Yule, one of the casualties of a top-level investigation which was triggered by an incident which involved visiting members of a Dutch lifeboat crew late last year.
Mr Yule was the highest profile name in a clutch of forced or voluntary departures from the crew after a complaint was raised about a prank carried out in the presence of the international guests.
The long-serving coxswain was present but took no part in the “three-man lift”, which involves a victim being pinned down and a bare bottom pushed towards their face.
However, he was permanently stood down from the crew as part of the inquiry after RNLI chiefs said they would not tolerate any behaviour that brought the work of the organisation or its people into disrepute.
In the early stages of the investigation, the RNLI took the decision to take the all-weather lifeboat off station due to a lack of operational crew.
The decision left the station with its inshore D-class Robert Fergusson on service, and all-weather cover provided by Montrose and Broughty Ferry stations.
RNLI bosses said the Inchcape decision had not been taken lightly and such a move would not be made without “due cause and reason”.
A recent show of unity was made when the crew gathered at the harbour station and the organisation has said its aim is for the all-weather boat to return to service by the end of April.
The new top post will combine that of Mr Yule and former full-time mechanic Ron Churchill, who retired last year.
The process of recruiting a replacement for Mr Churchill was already under way prior to the inappropriate conduct investigation being mounted and the RNLI said that it had been put on hold as a result, leading to the decision to appoint a full-time coxswain/mechanic.
