Anstruther Lifeboat Station
12m Mersey Class Boat Kingdom of Fife

Anstruther IB1 D667
News & Events

 

LATEST NEWS

St Andrews Coastguard visit


Member of the local St Andrews Coastguard team visited the lifeboat station, the first meeting
since the Coastguard reorganisation and the closure of the Fife Ness Station.

As part of an ongoing discussions and an understanding of each teams capabilities.
A joint exercise is planned on Sunday 12/05/13 with both Lifeboat and the Coastguard team.

After an understanding of the Lifeboats capabilities and equipment carried
the Coastguard were able to demonstrate the cliff rescue techniques and the
responsibilities of the various members during the operation.

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 30/0/13
Coastguard cliff rescue team

Harbour waves


The constant easterly wind and swell produced some impressive waves
breaking over the harbour wall.

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 23/03/13

Loony Dook


Member of the 'High Flying Birds' from Adam Smith College braved the cold waters of
Anstruther harbour during the storms, with Lifeboat crew members on hand to assist.
The four members are raising sponsorship money for the RNLI.

More details to follow

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 25/03/13
Dookers and some of the volunteer crew

 

 

 

 

DATES        FOR      YOUR     DIARY:

EVENTS

Lifeboat attendance subject to operational requirements

Next exercise *
(Lifeboat launch & Recovery)


Saturday 27/04/13
at 11:00 LW launch

Sunday 12/05/13
at 12:30. HMCG exercise

Friday 17/05/13
at 18:30

 ILB
Wednesday at 18:30

 

Open Day - 1 June 2013

St Monans Sea Queen - 22 June 2013

Crail Gala - 04 August 2013

 


SOUVENIRS and GIFTS


Lifeboat Gift Shop
Open each day 11am - 5pm


 

Visits can be arranged around the Lifeboat Station.

Please contact Roger Grundy - see link on index page
or phone 01333 312447


Free access through the shop to the Visitor's Gallery with displays
and DVD's giving the history of the RNLI and close up views of the Lifeboat

       

       

photo by Roger Grundy Copyright 25/03/09

 

 

NEWS ROUND UP

Loony Dook Cheque presentation


Member of ABC2J raised £330 when they organised a sponsored Loony Dook on St Andrews
West Sands in December. The cheque was handed over by Carla Rennie, Angela Burt and
Bethany Lindsay to Michael Bruce Coxswain of the Anstruther Lifeboat.
The cheque will be used to support the crew training on station.

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 19/01/13
cheque presentation and volunteers

Bravery of Anstruther lifeboat crew celebrated with RNLI gallantry awards

 

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photo Tom Danks copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 12/11/12

 

Three lifeboat crew members have been recognised for their part in saving the lives of two people
from a motor vessel driven ashore in complete darkness and heavy breaking seas near Crail on 1 August 2012. (See shout 25/26-2012)


Anstruther inshore lifeboat Helmsman Barry Gourlay (30) is to be awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry
one of the charity’s highest accolades – for his courage and boat handling skills in extremely difficult conditions.

His fellow volunteer crew members Rebecca Jewell (30) and Euan Hoggan (22) will be presented with the
Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum for their part in the rescue.

Barry said: ‘The RNLI trains volunteers to handle all types of life-saving situations and therefore we were putting into practice what we have learnt.

It is indeed a great honour to receive the bronze medal, however this also recognises all the efforts of everyone else at the station involved in the rescue –
we also had a shore crew and an all-weather lifeboat crew working that night.’

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photos Roger Grundy 12/11/12

Media attention at the Lifeboat Station, when gallantry awards announced.

All the Crew are now trained in CPR & AED

Following a generous donation all 35 of the crew have now been trained in resuscitation and automated external defibrillation.
A community defibrillator has also been located outside the lifeboat station, the first in Anstruther.
The course was run Gillian Duncan, Chair of the East Neuk First Responders and an instructor with Leisure Force.
It is hoped to have further public access defibrillators in the East Neuk to assist with early first aid care.

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 09/11/12

Some of the trained crew with Gillian left and the sponsors to the right

Children's sponsored walk for the Lifeboats

 

The children of St Monans Nursery + Primary 1 & 2 took part in a sponsored walk
to raise money for the RNLI. Organised by the teachers and parents,
the
children competed the walk following a visit to the Anstruther Lifeboat Station
where they had learned about the lifesaving voluntary work undertaken.

A cheque for almost £200 was handed over to Alex Purves, Station Mechanic
and second coxswain, a big thank you to St Monans Nursery

 

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 06/11/12

 

ALB service call No 40 in heavy sea

The ALB Kingdom of Fife was called to a false alarm with good intent off Buckhaven.
With heavy sea, squally rain showers, 6m swell and 60knot winds the crew and lifeboat were tested.
Great seamanship and the training kept the crew safe and in the best position to assist a casualty.

 

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 25/09/12

Mini Clan 'Thistle Run'

2012 was the 13th year the Mini Clan have organised Scotland's largest and most successful Mini run.

The run is organise something along the lines of the world famous London to Brighton but for Scotland.
The Clan decided that it would have four routes, making a St Andrew's Cross across the country.
Thistle Run 2012 - Falkirk Wheel to Anstruther. This Year a total of 178 minis new and classic took part
from the Falkirk Wheel to Anstruther harbour, in good weather it made the show a great day for everyone.

Over £4300 was collected with a massive £2150 handed to the Anstruther RNLI.


photo copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 23/09/12

Mini Clan members hand over the cheque to Coxswain Michael Bruce with some of the Lifeboat crew
and two classic Mini's in attendance.

 

Marathon Cheque for RNLI

Lynne Zabek presented a cheque for £410 to Coxswain Michael Bruce at the start of the
Lifeboat Exercise on Saturday 27/10/12. Lynne has long been a supporter of the RNLI
and especially after her parents were rescued by the Anstruther crew when their
yacht was in difficulties recently.

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 27/10/12

Lynne left of centre presenting cheque to Coxswain Michael Bruce

 

Joint First Aid Exercise with East Neuk First Responders

A joint exercise was organised to test the crews with real life scenarios set around
Anstruther harbour. The casualties were made up to replicate a real situation
including explosion on a vessel within the harbour, a person injured in the water,
another withmultiple injuries on the beach and an unconscious person.
Both teams worked well together learning the different techniques and
strengths of each others training, to provide the best possible local volunteer cover 24/7.


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photo Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 27/10/12

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Lifeboat celebrations

The Lifeboat crew have been involved in two recent celebrations.


Saturday 25 August 2012 crew member Vicki Morris was married to her groom Daniel Munro at St. Monans Parish Church.
Vicki is following in the footsteps of her dad, Tom (Davy) Morris also a serving crew member on the Anstruther Lifeboat.


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The attached photograph shows Vicki and Daniel being provided with the traditional "guard of honour" by
fellow crew members as they leave the church at St.Monans after their wedding.

.Photo Tom Danks copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 25/08/12

Saturday 1 September 2012 was the date for a special christening onboard
the Anstruther Lifeboat mooring in the harbour and in front of the assembled guests.
The three sons Jamie, Sean & Sam of Helm & Deputy Coxswain
Richard Scott & Paulene, were christened by the Lifeboat Chaplain Rev Margaret Rose

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Some of the crew with family & friends look on as Sam is christened.
Roger Grundy copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 01/09/12

RNLI crew assist in rescue of stranded whales

The Lifeboat crew were called to assist the Coastguard, Marine Life Rescue and Vets,
to try and save beached Pilot Whales near Pittenweem.
Additional crew were brought to the scene, where attempts were made to keep the
whales wet and upright while waiting for the next tide.
Ten were successfully re-floated and escorted out to deeper water.

Tragically over 15 perished on the rocks

 

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photo Roger Grundy & Carl van der Lee copyright Anstruther Lifeboat 11/08/12


Anstruther Muster

The crew helped raise funds for the RNLI by selling burgers and drinks
at the Anstruther Sailing Club Muster. Over 50 yachts took part in the
weekend with ILB demonstrating a man over board rescue.

Almost a £1000 was raised to support the voluntary work of the RNLI

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright 11/08/12


Crail Lifeboat Gala

Both Anstruther lifeboats attended the successful Crail Gala on Sunday 05/08/12
Mersey Class ALB 'Kingdom of Fife' 12-17 and Relief D Class D 720

Events around the harbour were enjoyed by all. The visitors were given
the opportunity to see the ALB close up while moored in the harbour.

Over £2300 was raised to support the voluntary work of the RNLI

 

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photo Roger Grundy copyright 05/08/12


Lifeboats on Exercise

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Talus photo Roger Grundy 16/06/12  & "© alan atkinson on 26/06/12

Recent photographs of the Anstruther Lifeboats in action during a routine exercise taken from the May Princess ferry
with training ship Stavros S Niarchos

The Kingdom of Fife ALB 12-17 being launched by refurbished Talus tractor T104


Lifeboats in Action

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photo Roger Grundy 06/05/12 

Recent photographs of the Anstruther Lifeboats in action during a routine exercise.

The Kingdom of Fife ALB 12-17 and IB1 Rotary Centenary Queen D667
leaving the harbour at speed and returning

New Talus tractor on station

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photo Lifeboat Station 24/05/12

Talus tractor 110 has been replaced on station by Talus 104 which has just completed a major overhaul


Lifeboat Open Day

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photo Roger Grundy 02/06/12 

The lifeboat station getting ready to open its doors & Lifeboats to the public.
Over 200 visitors attended, meeting the crew and learning about the voluntary
work of the RNLI. The day was a success with over £500 being taken on the food & drink stalls
staffed by the crew and a further £500 in souvenirs sold through the gift shop.

St Monans Nursery cheque presentation

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photo St Monans Nursery 31/05/12 

The teachers, parents and friends along with the young children from St Monans Primary School Nursery
held a coffee morning recently to raise money for Anstruther Lifeboat Station.
Four of the children presented a cheque for £135 to Alex Purves, Station Mechanic & Second Coxswain

watched by teachers, parents and Roger Grundy Station Vists Officer.


St Monans Nursery visit

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photo St Monans Nursery & Roger Grundy 15/05/12 

The young children from St Monans Primary School Nursery enjoyed their trip around the Lifeboat Station
and later presented a picture to the crew

New Talus tractor on station

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photo Lifeboat Station 24/05/12

Talus tractor 110 has been replaced on station by Talus 104 which has just completed a major overhaul

'Kingdom of Fife' back on Service

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photo copyright Roger Grundy 15/03/12 

After several months away on repair and refit the Anstruther Lifeboat 'Kingdom of Fife' is back on station.
Loose equipment is moved from 'Lifetime Care' to 'Kingdom of Fife'

The relief Lifeboat is the lifted out and loaded back on the transporter to
return to the Relief Fleet of Lifeboats the RNLI maintains in addition to the station boats.

 

Low water launch

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photo copyright Roger Grundy 11/03/12 

Launching the Lifeboats at low water has to be practiced to enable the Lifeboats to launch as required with any tide situation.
The ALB is pushed by the Talus semi submersible tractor until there is sufficient water for the ALB to be
launched from the carnage. The ILB is pushed down to the water by the New Holland tractor
and then walked out by the crew until there is sufficient water to start the outboard engine.

 

 

New Lifejackets

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photo copyright Roger Grundy & Tom Danks 11/02/12 

Some of Anstruther Lifeboat crew are photographed during the first familiarisation exercise taking place
using the new ALB & ILB Lifejackets.
The ILB jacket has an inherent foam buoyancy of 90 Newton with a manually inflated chamber of 290 Newton.
The ALB has two chambers each of 290 newton one manually an the other automatically inflated. A blow off valve
to equalise the pressure at never more that 290 Newton

 

Ergonomically designed to be comfortable & secure a far cry from the cork lifejacket of 1854
and example of which can be seen in Visitors galley at the Lifeboat Station.

'One size fits all' as demonstrated by Ryan Black & Esther Jones wearing the ILB & ALB jackets respectively.

 

 

Long Service award for George Sorley

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photo copyright Tom Danks 11/02/12 

Deputy second Coxswain George Sorley was honoured with a long service badge
to commemorate over 30 years commitment to Anstruther Lifeboat station.

George joined in 1977 and has helped with over 250 Lifeboat rescues on the
previous Lifeboat 'The Doctors' and the current All Weather Lifeboat 'The Kingdom of Fife'


Relief Lifeboats...

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photo copyright Roger Grundy 07/01/12 

Both Lifeboats on station are currently from the Relief Fleet.

In addition to each Lifeboat Stations boats the RNLI maintains a large Relief Fleet that are
able to be deployed to any Lifeboat station as required, during periods of routine
maintenance or repair. The Kingdom of Fife ON1174 is replaced by Lifetime Care ON1148
and D667 replaced by D695

The Lifeboat Station flag was at half mast in commemoration of ex crewman Tom Small
who served the RNLI for many years both on the lifeboat and the shore.

SEE NEWS ARCHIVE FOR 2008 - 2011

 

 

 

 

NEWS - STATION OPS

The record for the busiest year ever (in terms of Service Calls) of the Anstruther station's
142 year history was broken in 2007 with 53 Service Calls.

(Details on Service Archive Page)

 

 

BOOKS

The History of Anstruther Lifeboat Station

Part 1
The history of the Anstruther Lifeboat from 1865 to 1985 is detailed within sixty pages recalling the boats, the crews, their struggle with the sea and the brave rescues attempted. Including 34 period b/w photographs, the Appendix gives details of the Anstruther Harbour development and crew awards.

Part 2
Continues the story from 1985 to the current Mersey Class Lifeboat 'Kingdom of Fife' the Boathouse alterations, the boat testing and crew training required for operation of the new boat, details are also given of the launching and recovery procedures.
All contained with 42 pages and 24 colour / b/w photographs
.

Covers reproduced by permission of the author Michael Welch

Both books are available in the RNLI Souvenir Shop at the Boathouse Anstruther.

or by post at the reduced price of £2.50 plus £1p&p
(UK only, Please contact for other areas)

Cheques / PO for £3.50 made payable to Anstruther Lifeboat
at The Lifeboat Station
Middle Pier
Anstruther
Fife
Scotland
KY10 3AB

please contact r.grundy@zen.co.uk for further details



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