Boats and other Equipment
The hot news from Nith Inshore Rescue is the imminent arrival of our NEW BOAT. The crew have started a blog with up-to-date information on this, so please take a look.. This was necessary because of a new Code of Conduct for lifeboats which means all boats have to be self-righting, amongst other things. We believe we are the first independent boat to comply with the new regulations.
We have two lifeboats, a big one (being replaced) and a small
one. The current big boat, the Lena Burton, was named after a lady in
the village who kindly remembered Nith Inshore Rescue in her will. It
is a 6.5 metre RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)
made of glass reinforced plastic, and well suited to the relatively
shallow waters of the Solway.
Its top speed is 32 knots (36 mph), with two 70 hp Yamaha outboard
engines. The boat is on a trailer so can be launched from locations
other than Glencaple.
It has the whole range of technical equipment: satellite navigation equipment so that we can pinpoint our exact location, even if it’s in the middle of the night or in thick fog; an echo-sounder so that we can see how deep the water below us is; flashing blue lights and big, powerful search lights as most rescues take place at night; plenty of first aid equipment and blankets; and, most importantly, VHF radios – the most important pieces of equipment we carry. All crew are trained in radio procedure.
We expect our new boat to be delivered in February 2010. More info here.
On
inland waters, such as rivers and lochs
where access is restricted, our second, smaller, boat is invaluable.
This boat is also transported on a trailer, which means that we are
fully mobile.
The Landrover TD5 Station Wagon was donated by
The Order of St
John in December 2004, replacing the previous vehicle which was also a
donation, this time from Dumfries and Galloway Police. The Land Rover
is equipped with VHF radio, first aid
kit, ladder and all the other necessary rescue equipment. The vehicle
is fitted with a blue light, siren and PA facilities. A 3-tonne
electric winch is fitted to the front.
The
tractor pulls the trailer with the lifeboat on up and down the slipway,
meaning that the Land Rover does not have to enter the salty water.
The
lifeboat station and slipway in Glencaple are leased from Caerlaverock
Estate
at a peppercorn rent. Thanks to a grant from the National Lottery
Charities Board, the building (formerly a garage) was renovated in 1999
and opened in July 2000.