Largs RNLI

Caption 1: Ron Copeland (centre) the Largs RNLI veteran with 50 years service with Hunterston Rotary Club members, President Norman Whyte (left) and Catherine Black.

Largs lifeboat station likely to face record "Call Outs" this year

The RNLI station crews based in Largs are likely to attend more emergencies at sea than in its 60+ year history… however, dramatic and impressive changes in technology, boat design and training of those who volunteer to man the life boats have made a substantial contribution to saving record numbers of people in distress in waters around the UK, according to a 50-year veteran of the local service.

Speaking to members of the Rotary Club of Hunterston, Ron Copeland from Largs, a former RNLI crew member and now a shore-based ambassador for the Largs RNLI station, provided a comprehensive history of the service that he and now 17 men and women volunteers provide, at a moments notice and in all weathers.

He said: “Since the late 1960s, the improvements have been tremendous. Today we have a modern Atlantic 85 craft which is not only faster than anything we’ve had in the last half century but it’s packed with the latest navigational technology and life-saving equipment. This, combined with the superb training now given to volunteers has made a tremendous difference.” 

Today, the Largs station has 22 male and female crew including new recruits in training, learning the skills required to handle the lifeboat and deliver the best life-saving techniques available. There are also launch and support personnel manning the station.

This year, he said, the Largs lifeboat would likely clock up its largest number of ‘call outs’ ever made… “our previous record was 45 in a 12 month period but already, Largs crews have already attended 37 ‘shouts’ and we are just two-thirds our way through this year.”

Mr Copeland, who was recently honoured for five decades of RNLI service by HRH Princess Anne Buckingham Palace his explained how ever increasing numbers of calls for RNLI assistance come from people who “ go into shops, buy rubber and plastic air-filled toys and go out to sea in these fragile floatation devices without wearing life jackets... which are not supplied by supermarkets!”

“Increasing number of holiday makers and visitors to the Clyde coast find that when the tide turns or the wind rises that they can easily get into difficulties... and that’s when we launch the lifeboat.”

Today, the Largs RNLI station operates a powerful Atlantic 85  which Mr Copeland described as a “much faster, more adaptable and safer vessel that’s equipped with state-of-the-art technology. All crew members now have man-to-man radio communications at all times

“ We carry a range of life-saving and emergency medical equipment although as yet, not a defibrillator – high voltage and water do not mix, however perhaps one day, such a vital piece kit will be developed… the majority of medical emergencies our crews have to deal with are broken bones, abrasions and hyporthermia”

He emphasised that the important, life-saving work of the RNLI and its crews across the UK continues to be completely funded through voluntary donations with no government subsidies.

During what Rotarians agreed was an informative presentation, Mr Copeland showed photographs of previous Largs RNLI crews, recalling the names of many who were known to members from the town and surrounding area in North Ayrshire.

The Largs RNLI station and its volunteers were recently part of the popular television series “Saving Lives at Sea”.