HISTORIC LIFEBOAT RETURNS TO EAST NEUK
Published: 2nd Jul 2010
 ANSTRUTHER Lifeboat crews now have a tangible link with rescuers living more than 100 years ago. And they hope enthusiasts will help them breathe new life into one of the first RNLI boats ever stationed in the East Neuk fishing community.
RNLI Lifeboats have been in service at Anstruther just down the coast from St Andrews, since 1865. The: 'James and Mary' was the third vessel to serve there from arrival on July 30, 1904 (pictured) until she was replaced in March 1933. Four thousand people attended her naming and launching ceremony on September 10, 1904.
Then Coxswain William Sutherland (known locally as Scow) launched the boat with 2nd Coxswain Martin Gardner beginning a partnership with the 'James and Mary' that was to last for nearly 30 years under the affectionate title: 'The wooden boat with the iron men'.
Now Anstruther Lifeboat Station Administration and Visits Officer Roger Grundy with the promise of some much-appreciated funding from Fife Council has masterminded the return of what remains of the old lifeboat to Anstruther and is currently in the process of forming a small working group to steer and manage the project towards restoring her and mounting a permanent display outside the boathouse.
He told St Andrews News: “Since receiving notification that the remains of this RNLI lifeboat were available the project has moved at remarkable pace and I am delighted that the: 'James and Mary' is already safely back at Anstruther. My thanks go to colleagues within the RNLI and Fife Council who, with very little notice, assisted with the recovery and haulage arrangements.
For more information on Anstruther Lifeboat Station please visit www.anstrutherlifeboat.org.uk
Phase Two of this project which will include the renovation of the lifeboat, now begins and I would be interested to hear from anyone willing to offer any form of support”. Whilst the project has RNLI approval, it is hoped funding will be found locally
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