A north-east lifeboat team has launched a fundraising appeal – to ensure they can continuing saving lives by protecting their own.
Fraserburgh RNLI are hoping to build a £400,000 pontoon to make it easier for crewmen to jump onboard their lifeboat, and to protect casualties being stretchered onto the dock.
The charity is asking businesses if they will consider financing half of the cost.
At the moment, the volunteers have to tackle a dangerous flight of steps to get to the boat when they are called out to an emergency.
Vic Sutherland, coxswain of the Willie and May Gall lifeboat in Fraserburgh, said he wants to protect his brave volunteers.
“It can be a nightmare. The last thing you want to do is climb onto hand rails wet from the rain,” he said. “Then if there’s any swell in the harbour that’s another risk.
“We’re here to save lives at sea and we can only get that done if we’re fit to get it done in the first place. The last thing I need as coxswain is to have one of my crew injured before we leave the berth.”
Mr Sutherland, who has served with the RNLI in Fraserburgh for 20 years, has assisted dozens of casualties out onto the quayside.
He said transferring people – sometimes on stretchers – who have already been pulled from the water is immensely challenging.
Last night Banff and Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said she wholeheartedly supported the RNLI’s project.
“Any development which enhances the lifeboat service is to be welcomed,” she said. “The north-east owes an incalculable debt of gratitude to the RNLI who for years have assisted vessels in our waters.”
The charity aims to have the pontoon installed next year, with funding in place by the end of 2015.
RNLI’s corporate partnerships boss Ross Martin said the initiative was the chance for local businesses to build a “real legacy” and forge a lasting bond with their lifeboat station.
He added: “Meeting the needs of such a vital lifesaving project in the community is an attractive prospect for companies, who could either make a corporate donation or involve their employees in fundraising towards the project.”
In 2014 Fraserburgh’s RNLI volunteers rescued 14 people, spent more than 1,140 hours on rescues and training exercises at sea, and saved two lives.