PORT WILLIAM INSHORE RESCUE SERVICE
The inshore rescue service serving Wigtownshire's Coastal Waters.

Keeping our coastal waters safe.

We can do it with your support.

HISTORY
In 1978 after a number of incidents in Luce Bay a group of concerned residents of Port William called a meeting to discuss life saving at sea. As no national organisation would support their appeal, a community initiative to raise money for an Inshore rescue Boat was set up. After some very hard work sufficient funds were raised and an Avon Searider semi-rigid inflatable was purchased and went into service on 20 June 1979. Since those early days we have evolved into a highly efficient voluntary rescue service and go from strength to strength thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and supporters.

SUPPORT
Our crew and committee members are all unpaid volunteers and they work tirelessly to raise funds for the upkeep to the Rescue Boat and its equipment and in 1999 we raised enough money to buy a new Tornado Class Rescue Boat. As well as the boat upkeep, crew equipment, radio and navigational equipment are constantly being replaced or additional protective clothing purchased for new crew members. For example, the boat is powered by two outboard engines and each one costs almost £4,000.

If you would like to lend your support to this valuable life saving service by making a donation or completing the Gift Aid form, below, you will be playing a major part in keeping the waters of Wigtownshire safe.

OPERATION
Though we are an independently funded Search and Rescue Service, all our service operations (call outs) are under the control of H.M. Coastguard Liverpool and the Sector Officer from Kirkcudbright.

Port William Inshore Rescue Boat is based on the east coast of Luce Bay, the largest bay in Scotland, but because of its mobility it can also be transported overland to other launch sites around the Wigtownshire coastline. Because of this mobility it allows rescue coverage over a much larger area with a speedier response than if the boat was based at one station only.

Call outs are many and varied, and they range from day fishermen who simply run out of fuel to pleasure sailors and wind surfers or children on inflatable air beds. In recent years, the boat has also been called out to assist in the search for military aircraft which have come down in the Irish Sea or the waters of South West Scotland. We also work closely with local Police with the search and recovery of missing or drowned persons to a Civil Defence role in the event of flooding or other such events. On occasion in the past we have assisted the RSPCA with animal rescues.

One such canine rescue from the Isle of Whithorn was videoed and placed on YouTube. To watch click on the following link.Canine Rescue

Port William Inshore Rescue Service
Registered Office:
Maughold, Low Killantrae

Port William

Newton Stewart

DG8 9QR

e-mail pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk

Telephone: (01988) 700590