Lifeboat out of service after crew are suspended

A LIFEBOAT was forced out of service yesterday after crew members were suspended.

‘Several’ personnel on the all-weather Mersey-class lifeboat, named Inchcape, have been ‘temporarily stood down’, from their base in Arbroath, Angus, said the RNLI.

Bosses from the charity’s headquarters in Poole, Dorset, are leading an investigation into the allegations which triggered the suspensions.

A spokesman for the charity said: ‘We are undertaking an investigation at Arbroath Lifeboat Station following a complaint about a serious incident.

‘Some crew members have been temporarily stood down while the investigation is being carried out. As a result the all-weather lifeboat is off service due to lack of availability of operational crew.’

Despite the suspension the RNLI said the station’s D-class inshore lifeboat remains in operation.

The spokesman said cover will also be provided by crews from Montrose, 12 miles to the north, and Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, 12 miles to the south, in the event of an emergency. He added: ‘The RNLI would never consider taking a lifeboat off service unless there was due cause and reason.

‘We shall not tolerate behaviour that brings the RNLI into disrepute.’

Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said: ‘If a lifeboat has to come from Montrose in terrible conditions it could be a disastrous situation.’