Sent in by John Kinsman, station manager at Coastwatch St Monans, east Fife. Featured image shows the east Fife historic windmill which is now the Coastwatch St Monans base.
Massive search
A search on the river Tay took place after a major late night emergency operation was launched. Police, coastguards, coastguard helicopter and lifeboats were called to an area around the Tay Bridge, after concerns were raised for a man.
Locals reported hearing the helicopter arriving in the area just after 10pm and it spent more than two hours flying above the water. Data from Flightradar24 .com showed the aircraft travelling in zig zag pattern between the Tay road bridge and Burden Ness. The lifeboats from Broughty Ferry and local coastguards assisted in the search. However nothing was found after a long search.
Missing woman
The RNLI from Montrose was launched in the early hours to help locate a missing female. The coastguard raised the alert the volunteer lifeboat crew to the incident. Coastguard units from Montrose, Arbroath and Stonehaven assisted police and lifeboat in the search. Montrose lifeboat carried out a search along the shoreline between Montrose harbour and opening to the river North Ask. The female was later found safe and well.
COASTWATCH call out
Coastwatch St Monans Station were paged by Aberdeen coastguards after reports that a number kayakers were lost in thick fog that was blanketing the Fife coast. The kayakers were sailing between Elie and St Monans on a training session. Coastwatch St Monans volunteers were requested to go to St Monans harbour and check to see if the kayakers had arrived or check the shoreline between st Monans and Elie.
After splitting in to two groups Coastwatch St Monans team located the kayakers just off St Monans harbour.
After shouting to the kayakers and giving instructions how-to approach the harbour Coastwatch St Monans volunteers guided the Kayakers safety. In total 6 kayakers were brought to safety thanks to Coastwatch St Monans team.
The Coastwatch St Monans team were operations manager John Kinsman and station manager Anne Kinsman, station officer John McLean, volunteers Beth McLean, Karen Dodson, Bob McDonald and two new recruits. Well done all.
10th anniversary
Next month Coastwatch St Monans will be celebrating their 10th anniversary.
Coast watch St Monans was formed in 2011 and is based in an historic windmill on the coastal path a few minutes walking time from the village harbour overlooking the Firth of Forth. The station started with just two volunteers and now as team of 9 dedicated volunteers who are call 24/7 365 days a year. Coastwatch St Monans work closely with HM coastguards and have full declared facility status. They are equipped with all modern rescue gear, and carry pagers to be alerted to incidents by coastguards. All volunteers are trained in first aid and are qualified to administer Naxolone in case of an overdose case.
The St Monans team are operations manager John Kinsman and deputy manager Anne Kinsman, station officer John McLean, and team members Beth McLean, Karen Dodson, Bob McDonald, Cameron McDonald, May Copeland and Cameron Copeland.
The patron of the station is Mr Chris Chittle who plays Eric Pollard in Emmerdale .Chris has been patron of the station for four years and plays and active part in fundraising for the station. He visits the station whenever he can. Also Tunnock tea cakes company supply the station with snacks.
The team comes from all walks of life and carry out watch keeping duties every day working in shifts from 10am til 4pm. At the lookout station the old windmill. Coast watch St Monans is one of several stations around the Coast of Scotland and north of England.
Blue fin tuna
A rare Atlantic blue fin tuna has been spotted off the Isle of Man. An Irish fishing trawler spotted up to four which ranged from 1.6 to 3metres in length. They were seen feeding on escaped or lost catch alongside a seal. Blue fin tuna have not been recorded in Manx waters for many years.