The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Lifeboat volunteer to battle jellyfish and tides in charity swim
AFife lifeboat volunteer is to swim across the Firth of Forth to Inchkeith Island and back in an intrepid charity challenge.
Donnie Maclean will attempt the arduous five-mile round trip from Kinghorn beach to the island next month, to raise funds for the lifesaving charity.
The 42-year-old, who has been on the Kinghorn RNLI team for a year, is thought to be the first person to take on the challenge.
He will have to battle treacherous tidal currents while swimming across a busy shipping lane.
As well as dodging boats of all sizes, Donnie faces the threat of jellyfish stings and being struck by floating debris.
The idea for the swim came about because of Donnie’s fascination with Inchkeith Island.
He said: “I find the island intriguing and a little mysterious, especially with the now deserted building there, and just wondered if I could swim out to it.
“I can’t actually go on to the island as it’s protected.
“Furthermore, I’ve had to apply for special permission from Forth Ports Authority to be allowed to swim across what is an extremely busy shipping channel.
“But I’ll get close enough for a look, reaching the island before I head straight back.”
Donnie estimates the challenge will take between two and a half to three hours, depending on tide and weather conditions.
He said: “We aim to go between high and low tide, which is known as ‘slack tide’, when there is the least amount of tidal flow.
“I’ll also be accompanied throughout the swim by
I find the island intriguing and a little mysterious...
my colleague Mark Brown in a boat.
“Mark has 15 years’ experience on the RNLI team, so I’ll be in safe hands if I should get in difficulty.”
Neil Chalmers, Kinghorn RNLI helm, says the swim will be particularly difficult.
He said: “I think you have to be a little mad to take it on – but in all seriousness, I take my hat off to Donnie for doing it.”
Donnie will attempt the swim, weather permitting, on Saturday – setting off around noon.
An online donations page has been set up in support.