After a local woman went missing in the autumn of 1981, an organisation was formed to assist the Police and other professional services in such a situation. In 1982, the Dornoch Firth Independent Lifeboat was born.

For the next 40 years, the newly formed East Sutherland Rescue Association (or ESRA) would be on-call 24 hours a day, attending over 300 shouts from Her Majesty's Coastguard and the Police, saving lives and making the waters in East Sutherland a safer place.

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.

All profits from the sale of this book go to keeping this vital emergency service running.

Errata and Updates

1st Edition Errata:
In chapter "The Boats", the newest vessel is referred to as "Wildlands", but the correct name is "Wildland" (fixed in 2nd edition).

2nd Edition updates
In chapter "2022", "Proposed National Independent Lifeboat Association" is changed to "National Independent Lifeboat Association".

In chapter "The Boats", the newest vessel name is updated to "Wildland" and now has an updated photo.