EAST SUTHERLAND
RESCUE ASSOCIATION
Providing Inshore Rescue Since 1982
Latest News
Who is ESRA?
ESRA is an independent charity which funds and operates an inshore lifeboat in the Dornoch Firth area. The lifeboat is crewed by volunteers.
In 1981 a group of concerned local people met to discuss setting up an organisation to provide assistance to the police in the event of water-based emergencies. There were significant concerns about the level of water-borne emergency response available. Dornoch and Embo beaches were – and still are – very popular destinations during the summer months.
A committee was set up to fund an inshore lifeboat and provide trained crew to serve the east coast of Sutherland and Easter Ross bordering the Dornoch firth.
It was only a matter of weeks after this that a seven year old girl was swept out to sea on an airbed, off Embo beach. Along with two members of the public who had gone to her aid, the girl was successfully recovered by three volunteers of the newly formed East Sutherland Rescue Association.
Want to be part of the team?
We are always on the lookout for that special kind of person willing to give their time and energy for the benefit of others. ESRA is staffed entirely by volunteer members of the public from all walks of life.
It isn't necessary to become "boat crew"; there are other jobs to be done, without which, the boats would never make it to the water.
Get in touch with us today - come along, find out more about us and have a no-obligation chat.
CODE 135: Forty years of the Dornoch Firth Independent Lifeboat
Featured Product:
To coincide with the 40th anniversary celebrations of ESRA, founder member Neil Dalton takes the reader on a voyage through the organisation's long history. In a no holds barred account, he covers everything from the very common misconception that ESRA is part of/or funded by the RNLI (it isn't), equipment, training, call-outs and inevitable tragedies. But there are many moments of joy, fun and even fame, as the organisation features on the BBC's 999 programme.
The book costs £9.99 and all profits from the sale go to keeping this vital emergency service running.
Donations are welcome!
ESRA is an independent lifeboat association, which means we get no funding from the government or national organisations. We depend on our volunteers and the generosity of the community to fund our operations and training. For example, the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for the crew, comprising a dry suit, life jacket and helmet, costs around £1,000 per person.
Please consider making a donation to keep this vital service alive. Click the button below to securely donate any amount through our payment provider STRIPE.
Contact us.
Email us on info@esra.uk
In case of an emergency at sea, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard
East Sutherland Rescue Association
Cadogan House, Dornoch beach car park
Dornoch, Sutherland. IV25 3LD
** PLEASE NOTE ** We are unable to accept postal mail at our address. If you need to send us something through the post, please get in touch via email first and we can advise the alternative address to send it to.
If you’re getting in touch about volunteering, please use the form on this page instead.