The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Brighter future for station after ‘difficult months’
LIFEBOAT: New leader sought as all-weather boat prepared for return to active service
The dark clouds which have been circling above Arbroath’s crisis-hit lifeboat station appear to be lifting.
The town’s lifeboat shed has been in a state of unrest since several crew members were suspended and the allweather lifeboat was grounded as a result of a high-level RNLI probe into a drunken prank.
The crew put on a show of unity at the shed last night after the tensions of previous months as it emerged the post of the lifeboat’s new leader has been advertised – four months after longserving coxswain Tommy Yule was permanently stood down for his role in the controversy.
The all-weather lifeboat will also be returning to active service in the coming weeks following the conclusion of the internal RNLI investigation.
The RNLI said the station was now “moving in a positive direction” after “some difficult months”.
The full-time post – available from March – will combine the roles previously held by Mr Yule and lifeboat mechanic Ron Churchill who retired last year.
Mr Yule was sacked as a result of the investigation into an incident involving a Dutch lifeboat crew in which a drunken prank called a three-man lift took place, which involves the victim being pinned down and a bare bottom being pushed towards their face.
The top-level inquiry also led to other forced or voluntary departures.
Henry Weaver from the RNLI said: “We had begun the process of recruiting for this role before the investigation, following the retirement of Ron Churchill, but it was put on hold until we had an outcome from the investigation.
“Now that the station is moving in a positive direction we’re pleased to be recruiting for a full-time coxswain/ mechanic.
“We’ve always had a majority of crew who have behaved admirably and things are moving in the right direction after some difficult months. We can’t give a firm date for getting the all-weather lifeboat, Inchcape, back on service, but it’s fair to say it will be sooner rather than later.”
The RNLI will not be making details of the investigation public as they are bound by its duty to respect the confidentiality of individuals who were involved in the investigation.
Arbroath East and Lunan Conservative councillor Derek Wann said: “I welcome the news that things look as though they are getting back to normal for the Arbroath lifeboat station.”
... things are moving in the right direction...