HELENSBURGH’S lifeboat crew responded to a record number of call-outs during 2019, according to newly-published figures.

The volunteers at the Rhu Marina station were called out 65 times during last year – more than double the figure of 30 for 2018, and comfortably more than the previous record of 60 in 2007.

Amongst the calls were the recovery of a crashed micro-light aircraft, the rescue of three kayakers in heavy weather, six calls to persons in the water, a missing person in a dinghy, and 22 calls to assist police and coastguard searching for distressed people.

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Howard Morrison, chairman of Helensburgh RNLI Lifeboat, said: “Across the country, volunteer and full time crew members work to save lives at sea and face challenges, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“Helensburgh’s lifeboat is an extremely important part of the local community with a trained volunteer crew able to launch the lifeboat at a moment’s notice to reach people in trouble on the upper Clyde, Dunoon and Loch Long to Arrochar.”

Howard also stressed the need for continued funding: “We have a thriving fundraising committee responsible for organising events throughout the year, from the street collections in Helensburgh, the coffee morning in November to the Curry Supper in February and a fashion show in April.

“The committee sell RNLI Christmas cards and souvenirs and have a stall at the various events in Helensburgh including the Summer Festival, the Winter Festival and the Rhu Gala.

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“Helensburgh’s lifeboat and the RNLI are very grateful for the continued and generous support of the local communities they serve.”

Local MSP, Jackie Ballie, commended the crew’s efforts: “The Helensburgh RNLI do a fantastic job for our local community.

“It’s a credit to the hard work of the lifeboat crew, that a small team of volunteers has been able to answer 65 call outs to people in distress in the last year.

“I am grateful to them on behalf of our local community for everything they do.”

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