Grounded ferry Girvan's all weather lifeboat launched in gale force winds to assist the grounded passenger ferry European Highlander on 8 January 2005. Second Coxswain Dave Butcher commented: 'I have never experienced such hostile weather conditions during my 18 years with the RNLI.'The lifeboat stood by until tugs arrived on the scene and the ferry, with 100 people on board, was re-floated the following morning..