A volunteer boat crew who take older, disabled and disadvantaged passengers on free cruises along the Caledonian Canal will set sail for the season this week, equipped with new life-saving technology.
The team behind the Highland Cross Seagull will take delivery of a defibrillator from a north charity, before 20 of the regular volunteers are given special training in how to use the equipment in cardiac emergencies.
The custom-built £200,000 Highland Cross Seagull, constructed with the aid of funds from Highland Cross and other charitable bodies, is now entering its fourth season.
Last year it carried 2,085 people on 226 cruises between spring and autumn.
Activities this year start tomorrow with a group from the Castle Gardens Care Home in Invergordon on the morning voyage, followed in the afternoon by a group from New Craigs Hospital, Inverness.
At a presentation that evening, the Highland branch of Seagull Trust Cruises will receive its new defibrillator from Lucky2Bhere – a Skye-based charity set up to provide the devices in public places where people may be at risk of heart attacks.
Highland branch chairman John Gordon said: “The acquisition of the defibrillator, which will be a most welcome addition to our emergency equipment, has been made through a very generous donation which our branch received.
“During the cruising season from April to early October, the defibrillator will be carried on the boat, while during the closed season it will be located at Caley Marina which is a long time supporter of Highland branch.”
Following the presentation, a Lucky2Bhere training team will instruct the volunteers in the use of the device.
The Highland Cross Seagull was inaugurated by the Princess Royal in 2012.
The 55ft 23-ton cabin cruiser was constructed at Buckie Shipyard for the Seagull Trust Cruises charity.
Cruising will continue this year until Friday, October 2.