Kessock RNLI craft proves its worth ahead of official naming ceremony
VOLUNTEER lifeboat crew members at Kessock RNLI Lifeboat Station have proudly shown off their new Atlantic 85 class RNLI lifeboat during an official naming ceremony in the Black Isle village.
The Robert & Isobel Mowat was funded by a legacy left to the RNLI by Dr Isobel Stewart Fenton.
Dr Isobel Stewart Fenton’s Will left a pecuniary bequest of £200,000 and expressed the wish that her bequest be used to purchase two new inshore lifeboats (Atlantic 75 or their replacements) to be stationed on the east coast of Scotland to be named Robert Stewart Mowat and Isobel Spring Mowat.
However, due to the increase in cost of lifeboats, it was agreed with Dr Fenton’s executor and solicitors, that this bequest would fund one B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat and be named Robert & Isobel Mowat in memory of Dr Fenton’s father and mother.
At that time the cost of a B class was £160,000 and it was therefore agreed that any remaining monies would be used towards the upkeep and maintenance.
Following her arrival in Kessock in January the volunteer crew have familiarised themselves with the new RNLI lifeboat and undergone extensive extra training in the additional search and rescue capability she provides over the previous Atlantic 75 lifeboat.
Since being officially placed on service at the station in January Robert & Isobel Mowat has been requested to launch 13 times and actually launched on 10 rescues, including:
• Going to the aid of a yacht aground near Fortrose that would have been stuck until the next high tide. • Evacuating the unwell Captain of a chemical tanker heading for Inverness harbour with the assistance of RAF Rescue 137.
• Searching for a missing person in the river Ness area
On welcoming guests and visitors to the Lifeboat naming ceremony, Chairman of the Kessock Lifeboat Management Group Alan McDiarmid said: ‘This is the opening of a new chapter for Kessock Lifeboat Station in its 21- year history. This lifeboat is going to be a big part of the lives of our crew for years to come.
"The RNLI is held in high regard in every community it serves and that is where its strength comes from. It was a pleasure to welcome so many, who are our community, to be part of the next chapter of Kessock Lifeboat Station."
On behalf of the family of the late Dr Fenton, the lifeboat was handed to the RNLI by Mr John Horn. It was received on behalf of the RNLI by Sir Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary at the Scottish Government & RNLI Council Member, who passed it into the care of Lifeboat Operations Manager at Kessock, Gary Freidman.
Gary Freidman, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Kessock said: "It is with great pride that we at Kessock lifeboat station accept this new B class Atlantic 85 Lifeboat. On behalf of all the station volunteers I would like to thank the donors family. Their generosity will further enhance the life saving capabilities of the station."
The lifeboat was officially named by Sheila Percy on behalf of Dr Fenton before being launched for a short demonstration.
