That the Parliament congratulates Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue Service on securing a £20,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support the purchase of a new lifeboat built to Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) standards; recognises that inshore rescue boats operating in the UK are guided by the MCA’s Rescue Boat Code and that meeting these standards is a key step toward HM Coastguard recognition as a Declared Facility, which would enable the service to be formally tasked during emergencies; acknowledges the essential role played by independent lifeboat charities across the UK, many of which have achieved Declared Facility status and are regularly called upon by HM Coastguard as vital search-and-rescue assets; commends Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue Service on its tremendous fundraising efforts toward a total target of £140,000, noting that the organisation has already raised approximately £100,000 through the dedication of its volunteers and supporters; further recognises the importance of this service in protecting lives in the very popular Fleet and Wigtown Bay area, where high visitor numbers and coastal activity make rapid, professional inshore rescue capability essential; applauds the commitment of all involved in strengthening local emergency response capability, and wishes the organisation every success in completing the remaining fundraising, bringing their new MCA-compliant lifeboat into service, and achieving full Declared Facility status in the near future.
Supported by:
Miles Briggs, Annabelle Ewing, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Alexander Stewart, Annie Wells