Macduff RNLI crew’s rescue of Banff man featured in charity’s upcoming fundraising campaign
A swimmer who was rescued by a RNLI crew has been featured in the lifesaving charity’s latest fundraising drive.
In December last year, Chris Pike (58), who lives in Banff, decided to have a swim off the coast of Macduff on his birthday.
However, it quickly went wrong when the strong tide pulled him out to sea and his wife Sally had to call the emergency services to help him.
He was rescued by the Macduff lifeboat, with the Coastguard and a helicopter also assisting.
He urged anyone planning to go wild swimming to ensure they know what they are doing and are properly equipped.
He said at the time: “I knew how very lucky I was to be alive.
“I was woefully ill-equipped, neoprene shorts, gloves and boots.
“My intent was to wade out to a wave, dive through and wade back to shore.
“So I waded out maybe 100 metres from the first rock bluff to the east end of the beach.
“At this point I knew I was in a strong rip but didn't expect to be 200 metres offshore when I surfaced.
“At this point I knew I was in trouble.
“I had to decide what to do, I couldn't float as I don't even in salt water.
“I decided not to swim west as the river enters there, I thought colder water.
“I tried to swim for the rocky outcrop, I was making very little progress and I was unbelievably cold, my legs stopped working around about then.
“With just my arms I'd no hope, I knew I was going to die because of my own stupidity with the woman I love with all my heart watching from the beach.
“Thankfully Sally didn't waste a moment and as soon as she spotted I was much further out than intended she dialled 999.
“I'd gone under significantly at least twice and knew I was close to death, then I saw the helicopter, then the Macduff team searching for me, I knew if I could hang on I'd probably be OK.
“A couple of minutes later I was pulled on the boat and the guys set about keeping me alive.
“If it wasn't for Macduff RNLI I'd have been dead and my wife arranging a funeral.”
The RNLI has released its rescue figures for 2024, which show the charity’s lifeboats in Scotland saved twice as many people than in 2023.
Across the UK and Ireland RNLI lifeboats launched more than 9100 times in 2024, making it the fourth-busiest year in the charity’s 201-year history.
RNLI lifeboats from 46 stations around the coast of Scotland launched 1182 times, saving 36 - one of those being Chris.
With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own “Mayday” call, and urging the public to get involved with its biggest national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile.
Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every penny raised helping to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond.
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
Running a 24/7 lifesaving service is expensive and costs are rising - in 2023, it cost more than £190 million to run the RNLI.
Chris Brydie, a RNLI volunteer, said: “Usually it’s our crew heading out to respond to Mayday calls, but now we’re the ones asking for help.
“Thousands of people get into danger on and around the water each year and need our help, but everything we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.”
Whether people choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.
Mr Brydie, who is taking on the London Marathon for the RNLI this April, said: “It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services remains high, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes.
“We’re now heading towards our busiest time of year, so we’re putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today, and allow us to be there when we’re needed most.”
