Spey lifering boost hailed
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RIVERSIDE safety at the Spey has just been boosted by the unveiling of a new lifering.
Situated near the Burnside of Dipple farm, the new facility has been put in place thanks to the efforts of Fochabers retained firefighters, who have put a donation of £600 from cooking oil recycling firm Olleco plus cash from a local farmer to good use.
Crew manager Dave Crawford said: "We were looking for the most suitable location for the lifering and chose the Burnside of Dipple site after two fatalities occurred last year.
"The local farmer said that had there been something like a lifering there at the time perhaps these could've been avoided.
"We're delighted to have received generous donation from both Olleco and the farmer and are looking to instal another two liferings along the Spey which would give us coverage right up to Boat of Brig.
"Also, we're very grateful to the Crown Estate for agreeing to site the lifering on their land and to Moray Council Ranger Ged Connell for installing it."
Inverurie-based station manager David Hendry, who is in charge of firefighter safety training across the north-east of Scotland, commented: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are keen to support local initiatives like this where firefighters are working closely with their communities.
"This lifering will help the safety of people using this stretch of the Spey.
"Obviously we hope it'll never be used but the important thing is that it's there should it ever be needed."
Edward Brooksbank, graduate surveyor with Saville's, acting on behalf of the Crown Estate, added: "We're delighted to have been able to support this initiative and are keen to do so for schemes which promote health and safety."
The lifering housing has a identification number which should be relayed to the emergency services in the event of it being deployed.
The firefighters have also erected a lifering at Tugnet near the dolphin centre.