Mum Reunites with RNLI Heroes After Paddleboard Rescue

Mandy Galloway, 45, was pulled roughly two miles out to sea while paddleboarding off Kingsbarns, Fife. The incident took place in July 2023. Her partner raised the alarm after being swept toward shore.

The incident at sea

A sudden wind change carried the pair away from the coast. Mandy stopped paddling to conserve energy. A wave capsized her board and left her in the water.

She clung to the board’s fin wearing a swimming costume, T‑shirt and Crocs. Her legs went numb and she became dangerously cold. She was in the water for about 90 minutes.

RNLI launch and search

Two lifeboats launched from Anstruther lifeboat station to search the area. Conditions were choppy and the paddleboard’s pale underside made visual detection hard.

Crew members used local knowledge of wind and tide to extend the search. Louis McNaught spotted the paddleboard as it crested a wave.

Finding her

When rescuers reached Mandy, she was severely hypothermic and very weak. The inshore crew included Scott Brown and two colleagues.

The team moved quickly to recover her from the water. A doctor on the larger all‑weather lifeboat provided treatment en route to shore.

Aftermath and recovery

Mandy was taken to hospital and released a few hours later. She said her priority was to get home to her children.

The experience changed her outlook. She later welcomed three grandchildren and credited the crew with saving her life.

Reunion and appeal

More than two years after the rescue, Mandy returned to Anstruther to thank the volunteers. The mum reunites with members of the crew to express her gratitude.

She described the volunteers as RNLI heroes and urged public support for the charity. Her account was shared ahead of the RNLI’s Mayday appeal and the Mayday Mile fundraiser.

• Incident: July 2023, Kingsbarns, Fife.
• Victim: Mandy Galloway, 45, in water about 90 minutes.
• Rescue: Two lifeboats launched from Anstruther.
• Crew mentioned: Louis McNaught and Scott Brown.
• RNLI 2025 figures: 9,058 launches across the UK and 272 lives saved.
• Scotland launches in 2025: 1,172.

To learn about the Mayday Mile and to donate, visit fundraise.rnli.org/event/mayday-mile/home. Filmogaz.com covered Mandy’s story and the reunion at Anstruther lifeboat station.