Joy as rescue service ticks all the boxesEast Sutherland Rescue Association (ESRA) is celebrating after achieving strict new standards laid down by the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA).
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The Dornoch based association has now been awarded its certificate of compliance for its open rescue boat Glen Cassley, which is less than 15 metres in length.
It is no mean feat as currently only a small minority of the UK’s 27 independent lifeboats meet the MCA’s stringent code.
ESRA’s Antony Hope said: “In recent years the coastguard agency has introduced a stringent code of practice and holds a higher expectation and standard of our services.
“Not only does our rescue craft and ancillaries have to comply with the code, but also the building in which it is housed, along with all records pertaining to maintenance, training and compliance with health and safety and other regulations.”
The main challenge for the group, which responds to an average 10 call outs a year, in achieving compliance was its ageing boat shed.
“Although we did succeed in meeting the requirements, any future new standards may be difficult to meet,” said Mr Hope.
Plans are on the table to build a new £300,000 boat shed next to the existing one. The new facility would enable faster and safer boat launches and would also be equipped to act a hub for the coordination of all emergency services that might be involved in any sea or shore based incidents in the vicinity.
ESRA does not receive any public funding and has launched a fundraising drive to pay for the new shed. Despite some generous donations, it is still short of the target.
However, a planning application for the development is set to be lodged with Highland Council following the end of an eight-week consultation regarding a 99-year lease of the new build site, which is on common good land.
Several ESRA members recently attained their short range radio and power boat 2 qualifications.
The group says it “urgently” needs to recruit new members to increase the size of the available pool of crew. For more information, visit: www.esra.uk
