A FAMILY’S connection to keeping people safe on the county’s coastline has been extended.

Dunbar RNLI’s new lifeboat queen Katie McDougall knows all about sea safety – because it has run in her family for generations.

Katie’s dad Iain, a joiner, has been a volunteer on the crew for 13 years and, before that, served the Coastguard for 26 years.

Meanwhile, Katie’s mum Angie, a former police officer and current manager of the town’s library, was also a Coastguard volunteer for about two years.

Finally, Katie’s late grandfather Andrew McDougall gave 19 years’ service to the Coastguard, including spending time as a lookout in the old station at the castle.

Dunbar Grammar School pupil Katie was looking forward to this year’s Lifeboat Fête, which will be her first experience of being part of the queen’s court.

The 15-year-old said: “It’s something I’m really looking forward to. Growing up, it was always something I wanted to do.

“I’m especially looking forward to having a ride in a vintage car.”

Joining Katie in this year’s court is queen’s consort Alex Lamb, 12, whose dad Jamie was both an all-weather lifeboat coxswain and D class helm during his time on the crew.

Pageboy DJ McCathie, 11, is a member of the Fairbairn family, whose long connection to the crew dates back to his great-great-great-great grandfather, the decorated coxswain Walter Fairbairn.

This year’s herald is Logan Reid, 11, whose papa Stuart Thomson worked for former lifeboat operations manager (LOM) Davie Lees, while his great aunt is former crew member and current fundraising committee member Lyndi Anderson.

Flowergirl duties are being shared by Martha Eunson, five, whose dad John-Robert is on the lifeboat crew and is also water safety officer; and six-year-old Leah Sharp, whose grandad Davie Koch is a former crew member and current tractor driver and shore crew member.

The court will be unveiled at the lifeboat fête on Saturday.

The parade along High Street begins from the Hillside Hotel at 1.15pm, before the crowning of the queen takes place at the harbour at 2pm.

Among the fun and games at the harbour will be a chance to meet the town’s volunteer lifeboat crew and step aboard and tour the all-weather lifeboat.

Entertainment will be provided by Logan’s Close, Pulse, Dunbar Sings, Barnstorm and Room 27.

Vintage cars and Harley Davidson motorbikes will be on show and there will be numerous stalls to browse, as well as archery and children’s amusements.