MIRO, the coastal rescue organisation based at Findhorn, has installed a floating dry dock thanks to funding from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation.
The dry dock will help the organisation extend the life of their rescue boat, the Glyn Whitehead III. When the boat is not in use, it can be put onto the dock where it will sit out of the water. This reduces the time it needs to be brought ashore to clean barnacles from the hull, and means it is ‘in service’ for longer and more readily available if a call comes in.
MIRO Senior Coxswain, Simon Paterson, said: “Our training programme has been reduced due to the Coronavirus pandemic, however, several members of our crew are now trained and competent in recovering the boat to the dry dock.”
MIRO Chairman, John Low, said: “We are extremely grateful to The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation for supporting MIRO to purchase this very important piece of equipment. It is a very timely purchase alongside our new rescue boat and has been put to good use docking the Glyn Whitehead III on the pontoon at Findhorn Marina since lockdown restrictions on water sports were lifted towards the end of May. MIRO volunteers have been kept busy with 22 call outs between 30th May and 20th October 2020.”
George McIntyre, Trustee of The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, said: “It is reassuring to know that these dedicated volunteers are on hand to assist our emergency services in saving lives. We are delighted that the people of Moray and local businesses continue to support the efforts of this special team.”
MIRO was called out 13 times in 2019 and has so far been called out 23 times this year.
Pictured left to right are MIRO crew Pippa Low and Alastair Macdonald with Margaret Stenton a trustee from The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation. Pic: Marc Hindley