RNLI rescue turned me into a lifesaver
Volunteer and pal were saved after jet ski incident
A LIFEBOAT volunteer joined the charity that saved his life.
Firefighter Benny Thomson, 43, from Dundee, has been a volunteer at Broughty Ferry lifeboat station since 2013.
As the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) marks its 200th anniversary today, he shared the story of his rescue on November 25, 2012 – that inspired him to sign up.
He had decided to go to St Andrews but a jet ski ridden by Benny and his pal Gavin Smith broke down.
They were pulled from it into the water and were heading east into the cold North Sea.
Benny said: “Every wave that hit us was taking us under as well as the jet ski and eventually the jet ski did sink.”
Lifeboats from Broughty Ferry and Arbroath searched for them. The pair heard a helicopter but when it didn’t spot them Benny feared death.
He said: “At this point we are thinking, ‘Maybe this is our time,’ and we started to talk about how do we make it easy? Do we lie back?
“Do we go to sleep? Do we go under and take a deep breath? But we just kept thinking about the kids and our wives at home. We had to get home.”
When they saw the lifeboat, they blew their whistles. Benny said: “The feeling was unbelievable. It was amazing to know that someone had found us.”
He added: “After the rescue, it didn’t take me long. I came down to the lifeboat shed and spoke to the launch authority and stated I was interested in joining.”
A service of thanksgiving will take place at Westminster Abbey today, marking the start of a year of celebrations.
Jill Hepburn, head of region for Scotland at the RNLI, said: “This year, we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond.”
It was unbelievable and amazing to known someone had found
US BENNY THOMSON ON BEING RESCUED