After seeking advice from the police on the nature of assistance the organisation could offer it soon became clear that they were concerned about the lack of availability of a boat for sea emergencies since Dornoch and Embo beaches are highly populated with holiday makers during the summer months and an incident off the beaches was a scenario that everyone feared. Thus, ESRA in its present form was born!
The commitee determined therefore to set up, train and fund an inshore lifeboat to serve the east coast of Sutherland and Easter Ross bordering the Dornoch Firth. This idea did not appeal to all those who had attended the first meeting but there remained sufficient support for the project to go ahead.
It was only a matter of weeks after this meeting that an incident occured when a 7 year old, Laura Sinclair was washed out to sea on an airbed. Using borrowed equipment and a lot of enthusiasm, 3 of the new group made a successful rescue of Laura and 2 other people who had gone to her aid.
Interim chairman Bill Ashplant had by now been elected as chairman and by the summer of 1982 after a lot of late night meetings, hard work and fundraising ESRA had its first newly equipped boat; named 'Laura Sinclair'. What was now required was some serious training.
Requests for practical help and advice were met by response from HM Coastguard who were at that time in the process of re-organisation with an auxiliary company and sector officer being based in Dornoch. Fortunately for ESRA not enough could be done to help provide the desired service. Not only did they provide various pieces of equipment, the time spent on practical training was immense.
At the same time the problem of storing the boat was being resolved and after discussion with the District Council it was agreed that ESRA could take over the old beach shelter adjacent to the beach car park in Dornoch. Much work was required to convert this to a working boat shed including a slipway to launch a boat. After several high spring and autumn tides the timber part of the slipway was eroded, however, a 'job creation' project and coastal protection had provided a durable concrete slipway.
By the beginning of 1987 the inflatable then in use 'Laura Sinclair' was starting to show signs of wear and tear and it was decided to look for a replacement. It was decided to replace the boat with a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) suitable for operation in shallow waters and launching off the beach. A suitable hull design was available from Humber Inflatables and the boat was duly ordered. The boat arrived in Dornoch on Marquee Night 1988 and was named 'Laura SInclair2'. New technological developments in VHF radio prompted a complete re-fit and a period of intense training followed to become proficient with the new equipment and boat.
Following 8 years of service during 1996 the requirements for a new boat became clear. The question of funding still had to be resolved so manufacturers were consulted and it was decided that the company Ribcraft produced the right boat at the right price. On this basis a successful application to The Small Grants Lottery Board was made and an order duly placed.
Delivery was made one dark night in the November of 1997 on the back of a fish lorry. Following a service of dedication the boat was named ' William B Ashplant' after our late chairman.
Once again technological advances and a GPS system were incorporated into the boat giving it a true 24 hour a day, 365 days a year capability.
As 2006 dawned, so did the requirement for a replacement boat once again become apparent. Such was the capabilities of the current boat it was decided to approach Ribcraft once again for a replacement. A visit to 'Ribex' Boat Show on the Isle of Wight in April 2006 confirmed this point of view and deliberations commenced. Thankfully due to a substantial bequest the funding of this was not a problem. Once again, technological advances in boat design and radio equipment combined with the new protocols for inshore rescue boats in circulation from the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) led to protracted discussion with the manufacturers and the company who were to fit the radio and GPS equipment.
The new boat arrived in August 2007 and is named 'Tim Jarvis' after a late crew member.
ESRA is proud to be an independent charity which funds and operates an inshore lifeboat which is manned totally by unpaid volunteers.