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Four others had drowned not long before in similar circumstances. Indeed, over the years many people had lost their lives after becoming cut off by the fast-flowing Solway tides. The area was a long way from the nearest lifeboat station and vital minutes were being lost as help was summoned from Silloth, across the Solway in Cumbria. |
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That year, local people took matters into their own hands and decided the Glencaple area needed its own rescue boat, to be based in the village. And so Nith Inshore Rescue was born. A massive fund-raising effort swung into action, with private individuals and local businesses donating generously. The photo above (picture: Annandale Observer) shows our first boat, a 12.5-foot Zodiac inflatable fitted with a 25 h.p. outboard engine and a VHF radio. From left to right: Jim Cowan, Wally Wright, Stewart Wilson, Alastair McKinnon, Doug Findon, Kevin McCall, Billy Wright and Ronnie Clark. |
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This second boat coped well with the increase in operational area until the same situation arose again. After another massive fund-raising effort we launched our present boat in 1997. |
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The Nith Inshore Rescue story began in the winter of 1981/82 with a man trapped alone on a sandbank in the River Nith near Glencaple. The tide was rising fast around him but local people could only watch as a tragedy unfolded before their eyes. They looked on helplessly as the man shouted for help, but inevitably the rising water overcame him and the River Nith claimed yet another life.
The first boat served us well until 1989 when, due to its age and the increased area we were being required to cover, we managed to raise enough to buy our second boat, a 5.1 metre rigid inflatable fitted with a 60 h.p. outboard (pictured left with crew John Dalrymple, Richard Thomson, Stewart Wilson, Alan Steel, Mike Clark and Wally Wright). 
Nith Inshore Rescue, Registered Charity SC022223. Page last amended 12 February 2007.