THE CHANGING PATTERN of Casualties around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland has led to the replacement of many traditional lifeboats by the faster inshore lifeboats; they are more suited to the type of casualty involved. In the northern North Sea a different change is taking place with the development of North Sea oil and this has led to the establishment of an offshore lifeboat station to improve the coverage in the area.

The site chosen was Invergordon which may evoke memories to ex-naval people. Invergordon is situated on Cromarty Firth, one of the finest natural harbours in the country. The Royal Navy recognised this many years ago and established a base there, and the firth was under naval control until 1958, when the base was closed.

Oil has brought changes to the area.

The Navy is moving out and in its place the newly formed Cromarty Firth PortsAuthority has been formed to control and manage the development of this fine harbour which is ideally located for oil related development.

The new lifeboat is closely tied up with the new Ports Authority. The organisation is typical of the close liaison which is being developed between harbour authorities and lifeboat stations. The newly appointed port manager, Captain Alistair Black, is also the honorary secretary of the new RNLI committee and comes to this area with a great deal of experience.

After years with the Nigerian Port Authority, Captain Black came home to a post as assistant harbour master at Harwich; while he was there, a new lifeboat station was established at that port.

Establishing a new lifeboat station is never easy. Tom Nutman, the divisional inspector of lifeboats for the area, has worked closely with the committee which is headed by Vice-Admiral Sir John Hayes, KCB QBE. In his dual role as chairman of the Port Authority and chairman of the lifeboat committee, Admiral Hayes is further evidence of the close connections between the two authorities.

These close links are maintained in the crew. Coxswain Angus McDonald is an executive with a tug company operating in the Cromarty Firth. A master mariner with extensive experience of craft large and small, he has also served a spell with the Nigerian Ports Authority. At 40 he provides the experience to match the enthusiasm of his young crew.

Second Coxswain David Lipp teaches at the Invergordon High School. In his mid-20's, David teaches seamanship and navigation among other subjects. Several of the crew work at the British Aluminium works at Invergordon. One of them is Assistant Mechanic Mike Webb, now an executive with BA but previously a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy.

Mike Webb's experience matches the practical experience of the only full-time man in the crew, Mechanic Ron Coggan.

He is no stranger to rescue work, having spent many years as a sergeant fitter in the RAF marine branch. The high standard of maintenance of the lifeboat lying afloat at her berth alongside the old naval jetty is testimony to his devotion.

And what of the boat herself? ON 913 has seen plenty of rough seas during her earlier service at Stornoway. The James and Margaret Boyd is a 52' Barnett which has been modified to incorporate self-righting gear with an inflatable bag.

Cromarty Firth may offer shelter to large ships, but even inside the harbour the conditions can be severe for small craft. During our visit the wind was blowing straight down the firth from the south west and, being against the tide, it was whipping up a nasty sea.

The mountains to the westward are the continued on page 172.