RNLI take the top honours at Emergency Services Regatta

The RNLI rowing team emerged victorious in the closely contested Emergency Services Regatta held in Lamlash Bay last weekend.

Taking part in the Arran Coastal Rowing Club’s second annual regatta were representatives from Police, Coastguard, Arran Mountain Rescue team (AMRT), RNLI and Arran Medical Group, who all competed over a one kilometre course for the Angus Campbell Quaich.

Rowers faced early morning mist and a lively swell at the start of the timed races, however, the weather eased throughout the day, allowing a large number of spectators to witness the final race between AMRT and the RNLI.

The time difference in the heats between last year’s finalists, AMRT and RNLI, was only marginal, but in the end, RNLI dug deeper and finished just ahead of AMRT, once again, by a narrow margin.

The rowing club’s Emergency Services Regatta is held in memory of Dr Angus Campbell who was intrinsically involved in Arran’s maritime matters and emergency services and who envisaged the event.

Sadly, Dr Angus Campbell passed away in 2018, having been an honorary member of the RNLI, but also involved in some capacity with all of the emergency services which took part in the regatta.

His wife, Yolly Campbell, attended the event and presented the RNLI winners with the Angus Campbell Quaich.

Chairperson for the Arran Coastal Rowing Club, Cecilia Paul, congratulated the winners and thanked all of the rowers for taking part in what was described by everyone as a thoroughly enjoyable day.

01_B43ARC02 The RNLI team with Arran Coastal Rowing Club’s chairperson Cecilia Paul acting as the fifth member.

01_B43ARC04 The Police Scotland team who put in a noteworthy performance despite their relative rowing inexperience.

01_B43ARC05 The Arran Medical Group team with Arran Coastal Rowing Club’s Dave Ingham acting as the fifth member.

01_B43ARC01 Finalists and last year’s winners, Arran Mountain Rescue Team.

01_B43ARC03 The Arran Coastguard team.