The LLRB is a Recognised Scottish
Charity: SC 020014
The Boat is sited at the village
of Luss in a boathouse on the west shore of Loch Lomond and
is manned from a pool of around 20 local volunteers who train
every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning.
The current Boat (St John) is
a 6.5 metre Rigid Inflatable Boat propelled by two 115 hp outboards,
which can reach the furthest end of the Loch within 20 minutes.
The St John came in to service in 2006 at a cost of £105K
and with annually running cost of £12k.
The LLRB is operated in accordance
with the Code of Practice for All Open Rescue Boats Including
Declared Facilities to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and
may be called out by dialling 999 for Strathclyde
Police or Clyde Coast Guard or by contacting the Ranger Service
at Balloch Tel: 01389 7527295. The Coast Guard
also monitor VHF radio channel 16.
The LLRB crew trains with the
Search & Rescue helicopter from HMS Gannet, Strathclyde
Fire Brigade and Lomond/Arrochar/Ochil Mountain Rescue Teams.
The LLRB crew are also trained and certified in search and rescue
techniques, RYA Power Boating, emergency First Aid and advanced
Life Support. The LLRB is also a RYA recognised teaching establishment.
The principle function of Operations
is to ensure that a rescue service is provided for the public
good and to encourage, promote and teach all aspects of safety
in and around the waters of Loch Lomond including the safety
of those persons using boats, canoes, wind-surfers, jet skis
and other vessels on the Loch. To this end, the LLRB provides
Rescue Boat cover for events such as the Dragon Boat Challenge,
the New Years day water ski, raft races and triathlon swimming
and canoeing.