Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation was called out to often perilous incidents in the Moray Firth nearly 30 times in 2021
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LIFESAVERS based at Findhorn Marina responded to 29 emergency callouts in 2021, a 16 per cent rise on the previous year.
Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO) helped in a variety of situations, including assistance with missing people, people and pets stranded by the tide, swimmers, paddle boarders, kayakers, kite surfers, folk on inflatables, jet ski riders and yacht sailors in difficulty.
Unfortunately MIRO also assisted in the recovery of missing person James Thomson (25) who was eventually found deceased in the sea near Burghead on Sunday, May 2.
In perhaps the most serious incident of the year with a positive outcome, on the morning of Sunday, September 5 MIRO was asked by UK Coastguard to assist the search of a missing person from Hopeman.
MIRO Rescue was launched for a shoreline search from Burghead to Lossiemouth.
At Hopeman the crew was informed that Alexander Craib (19) had been found on the rocks at Primrose Bay by kayakers and paddleboarders. A MIRO crew member assessed him and provided first aid.
Emergency helicopter HM Coastguard Rescue 151 winched Alexander onboard and flew him to Raigmore Hospital where it was discovered he had internal injuries including a ruptured artery.
He was then rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for open heart surgery.
Alexander made a recovery and later that month donated more than £3000 to MIRO in thanks for helping to save his life.
MIRO operations manager, Peter Mackenzie, said: “We responded to 25 incidents in 2020 but 2021 eclipsed that number despite the first three months of the year being relatively quiet.
“Over the course of last year, we were called to assist with eight searches for missing persons.
“However, as you would expect, the majority of incidents included helping paddle boarders, wild swimmers, kayakers, kite surfers and sailors in difficulty, as well as members of the public and their animals cut off by the tide.
“Tides rise quickly and can easily catch people out.”
He added: “If you’re planning a coastal walk or seaside activity, we strongly urge people to check the weather and tides before setting out.”
Dedicated rescue service MIRO was formed in 2005 to cover Findhorn bay and its approaches.
The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) tasked MIRO to also cover the inshore waters of the Moray Firth between Burghead and Nairn.
That year, MIRO launched its first boat, the Glyn Whitehead, named after a Findhorn sailor who tragically lost his life at sea in 2003.
In 2007 MIRO was named by the Maritime Coastguard Agency as a declared facility and began operating its fully dedicated service with volunteers on call 24/7.
MIRO is manned entirely by unpaid volunteers who give up their time to train, raise funds and save lives.
In 2020 MIRO received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Amazon shoppers can raise funds for MIRO by selecting Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation on Amazon Smile as the charity to benefit from Amazon donations every time they shop.
People can also donate via Virgin Money Giving by logging on to the MIRO website at www.morayinshorerescue.org.
