Crane-Out

Published 09:23 on 9 Oct 2024

We had our crane-out on Saturday 5th October. The forecast during the previous week was for light winds, and rain all day, but in fact, the weather was dry all day, and even quite warm for October.

All boats were safely and successfully lifted ashore for their winter layup.

A bit of excitement was added to the day when one of our safety boat drivers, Callum Calder, who also serves as a volunteer helm for the Queensferry lifeboat, was paged by the RNLI after a member of the public alerted the Coastguard to some people in trouble on "the teeth" (as the causeway to Cramond Island is commonly known). As Callum was already driving one of our safety boats on the river, he was able to speed out to pick up the family (and their pooch) and safely bring them ashore at Cramond. He then handed them over into the care of a Coastguard officer before resuming assistance with crane-out operations.

There was a big effort from many club members to make this happen. Thanks are due to Alastair Johnson for managing the event and acting as banksman, to Lawrie Elliott and Campbell Calder for arranging workboat crews, and the crews themselves for all the hard work in towing boats and transporting owners on the water.

Keith Millar fixed a workboat engine and also towed several trailers around, which helped keep thing moving.

Thanks are also due to Jennie Stanfield and her team in the kitchen, who kept everyone fed and watered. And we should mention our crane driver, Declan Henderson from Bernard Hunter who professionally dealt with some difficulties on the day, and ensured everything was done safely.

Only 27 weeks till Crane-in!