Picture: Buckie RNLI
AN important part of Buckie’s RNLI heritage is coming home for a while when the former lifeboat Laura Moncur pays a visit 34 years after she was replaced.
The 47ft long Watson class lifeboat, which served the area with distinction from June 1961 to April 1984, is due once again to tie up at her former home port for a three day visit.
On Friday July 20 she will be met by the current Buckie RNLI William Blannin and escorted into the harbour, where she is expected at around 10.30am. The following day the lifeboat station will host an open day from 10.30am to 5pm, during which there will be an opportunity to meet the Laura Moncur’s new owner, Mark Waltham and see round both lifeboats.
Mr Waltham is currently taking the Laura Moncur on a tour of the British coast.
One of those delighted at the prospect of seeing one of Moray’s iconic boats again was Buckie RNLI coxswain Alan Robertson, who revealed that the vessel which had rescued so many during her service had needed a spot of rescuing herself.
“It’s going to be very emotional experience to see the Laura moncur again after so many years,” he told the Advertiser.
“She was a great servant to Buckie and well-known across the north-east and beyond.
The difference in technology between the Laura Moncur and the William Blannin is quite surprising – for example, the Laura Moncur could only manage a top speed of nine knots whereas the William Blannin can do 25 knots.
“For many years the Laura Moncur sat rotting out of the water at a harbour near Great Yarmouth when she was spotted by Mark, who was looking for a boat to restore. He’s brought her back to her former glory after investing a lot of time, money and energy in her.
“After he’d completed the restoration he got in touch with us.
“It’s sad to think of a vessel like the Laura Moncur, which helped so many people, just lying there out of the water falling to pieces, so it’ll be great to see her in all her finery again after such a long time.“
The Laura Moncur was to become the first 47ft Watson class to be converted to be a self-righting boat in 1972, and during her 23 years of service was launched 66 times, saving 39 lives. After leaving Buckie she served as a relief lifeboat for a further four years before finally being sold out of the service in November 1988.