Port William Inshore Rescue Service

07/10/2026

Welcome to Shaun Egan, new Chair of NILA.

At our AGM in September we saw Neil Dalton stand down as chairman, Neil has been involved with NILA since the start and has made NILA in to what it is today.
Neil is remaining as a trustee

We would like to introduce Shaun Egan our new Chair and give you some information about him:
Operational Helm RYA Advanced power boat and COC holder

Deputy Chief Executive and Trustee of SARA

Chair of NILA

I have been involved in the retail motor industry all my working life which has taught me a lot about people and process.

Teamwork has been one of the standout learnings for me as well. A great team can achieve far more than great individuals.

I joined SARA nearly 9 years ago and am consistently humbled and delighted in equal measure at the bonds of friendship, support and professionalism that all the members of SARA display.

As the organisation is now in its 50th year of operation, I am grateful to have been given the chance by the members to help navigate our fantastic charity into the next half century.

I joined the trustee board of NILA a little over 2 years ago and have enjoyed being part of the APPG and helping to inform discussion around the new RBCOP.

When not involved in lifeboat activities, I am now semi-retired from work but still help train new staff with a number of large companies within the motor trade. I enjoy my time on the water on my own boat trying to get out as often as possible. I play golf badly and cook fairly well (I am told).

I have been married to Karen for 32 years, and I could not achieve anything without her help and support.

06/10/2026

Please consider supporting us by purchasing a ticket for the chance to win an incredible piece of artwork.

🌊🛟 PIRSAC RESCUE — THE BIG REVEAL! 🛟🌊

I’m delighted to unveil my latest painting on glass, ‘PIRSAC RESCUE’, which will be raffled on Christmas Day🎄 at The Ship Inn at Drummore, with EVERY PENNY raised going to the incredible volunteer crew at Port William Inshore Rescue Service (PIRSAC)❤️.

The original painting is A3, beautifully mounted, framed and glazed by Kevan McGinty of Whithorn, who has done a wonderful job bringing it all together.

The painting will be unveiled today at The Ship Inn at Drummore, thanks to my lovely friends Wendy and Mark Bird, who have kindly offered to display it alongside a framed copy of the story behind the painting.

🎟️ Raffle tickets are £5 each and will be available at The Ship from Tuesday evening.

Framed copies of the painting and its story will also be on display at The View in Port William, where tickets can be purchased, and tickets will also be available at Number 12, Port William’s wonderful, vibrant, community-run hub.

🛟 WHY THIS MATTERS 🛟

PIRSAC is a volunteer rescue service whose dedicated crew turn out in all weathers to help people in trouble at sea.

They give their time, courage and commitment to keeping our coastal communities safe, and this painting is my small way of saying thank you.

Please support our local, volunteer-run, and absolutely vital inshore rescue service.

Because every call-out could save a life.

One day, that life could be yours, or someone you love. ❤️

ART HELPING TO SAVE LIVES AT SEA 🌊

24/09/2026

🚨🛟SHOUT🛟🚨
Crew were paged at 0924hrs to assist paramedics and coastguard units with a casualty aboard a sailing yacht in Port William Harbor.
After assessment by the paramedics the casualty was helped ashore for treatment whilst Pirsac crew and coastguard units relocated the vessel to the safety of the head of the harbour.
A good job done, calmly and efficiently by all involved.
HM Coastguard Isle of Whithorn Stranraer coastguard Ballantrae Coastguard Rescue Team

23/09/2026

As members of NILA ourselves we stand with our fellow members and do not accept that they should be subject to harassment for volunteering to help those in danger on the water.

🛟On a shout. 2026 #45. But with a disturbing ending.

At 21.28 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of a vulnerable female in the water at St Leonard's.

With calm conditions our crew quickly launched on service and proceeded to the location. Shortly before arriving on scene, the casualty was retrieved from the water. Being safe and well, all units involved were stood down and our crew returned to base.

HOWEVER.

Once ashore, our volunteers had to attend to some maintenance.

Whilst doing so, we noticed a small group on the sea wall observing our activities. It soon became apparent that this group had tracked our tasking route to Hastings on AIS. They were posting inflammatory, damaging and entirely inaccurate information on social media about the tasking we had just completed.

The same group had earlier been in Hastings - we believe at or near the RNLI station. It appears to have been part of a full day of disruptive, dangerous and divisive activities.

We will not comment further on the details but the incident has been reported to UK Coastguard. We have names of individuals we believe are involved.

* As an emergency lifeboat service our mission is the preservation of life at sea. This is plain and simple and will not change.
* We do not make judgements or assumptions on casualties.
* We do not and will not engage in political discussion. However, we will strongly defend our volunteers and our lifeboat's mission.
* WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ABUSE, INTIMIDATION OR AGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS OUR VOLUNTEERS.

It is a shame that the individuals who stood in the dark to film and comment did not bother to take the time to talk to us and and educate themselves on what it takes to volunteer for an emergency service.

We are proud to serve.
We are PROUD to be PLIRB.

19/09/2026

14/09/2026

A huge thank you to Barlockhart Lodge Garden for a fab donation of £436.32. Well worth going to see the garden when you can near Glenluce. Thank you Neil

A newly-created garden, on a domestic scale, which is very much a work in progress. The main part is a reclaimed riding manege, which has been transformed with ...

13/09/2026

Beautiful morning here in Port William. Great morning for training for the crew of PIRSAC III

Briefing followed by launch and away they go to spend time practising MOB procedures, manoeuvring the boat at high and low speeds as well as other basics such as comms.

Want to be part of the crew? Come down on a Wednesday evening at 6.30pm and meet the crew and see what it’s all about. We have boat crew and shore crew spaces.

PS - we also train in the wind and rain and wavy seas 😜😂😂☀️⛅️🌧️⛈️💨🌊

31/08/2026

Message sent to us from Jessie Jack Burton

Lost grey dinghy with outboard this morning from new england bay..it drifted away from me as tide came in...so annoyed with myself.. im offering a reward for return if its found . Coastguard were alerted.
Please help.

If anyone comes across it please contact Jessie direct.

26/08/2026

A New Chapter for Rebecca ❤️🚤

Today we want to say a thank you to Rebecca for an incredible 2½ years as part of our Boat Crew.
Throughout that time, Rebecca has given her time, energy and commitment to supporting the charity and being part of our little boat family. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has contributed and for all the memories made along the way. ❤️

But don’t worry… we’re not getting rid of her! 😂

Rebecca is still very much part of our wee boat family, but due to other commitments, she is stepping away from her regular Boat Crew role and taking on an exciting new helping our Support Volunteers with events and fundraisers.

We’re delighted that she’ll still be very much involved with the charity and look forward to seeing her bring her enthusiasm, experience and passion to this new role.

So from all of us — thank you, Rebecca, for 3½ fantastic years on the crew ❤️

Here’s to the next chapter… and many more adventures together! 🚤❤️

23/08/2026

Golfers have already tee’d off in the Wigtownshire County Golf Club Texas Scramble in aid of our independent lifeboat. Some of the crew (the younger ones 😉) are set up with our raffle.
Even if you don’t play golf you could always pop in and get a ticket and try your luck.
Many thanks to the Club for running this again this year. Means a lot.