NESCol, the RNLI and the longboat

June 7, 2022

North East Scotland College’s welding students at Fraserburgh Campus were approached by Fraserburgh’s Lifeboat Station to create a fire pit that could be raffled off in aid of the RNLI.

Lecturer Martin Summers said: “The campus has strong links with the community and I thought this would be a good project for the students to use the skills they have gained on their course. The RNLI performs a crucial service to the local area and myself and the students were delighted to help.”

Student Alan Cruickshank together with fellow first year classmates Scott Murray, Mathew Patterson, Scott Beaton, Alexander Milligan and Kieran Crannan all came together to create a Viking longboat inspired fire pit, complete with a dragon figurehead.

Alan said: “I was asked if I would come up with some initial ideas and I guess I was influenced by my Shetland heritage as I landed on a Viking longboat design. I created several visuals using 3D CAD and when I arrived at the final version this was cut out using the CNC plasma. The pit is made of mild steel which was then welded with MIG (Metal Inert Gas). “

The fire pit was handed over to full time Coxswain/Mechanic Vic Sutherland who said: “The students have done a great job – there’s so much detail right down to the dragon teeth. It’s just amazing – anyone would be delighted to win this. Thanks to NESCol for supporting us – this will help us raise the donations that the station depends on for its rescue service.”

NESCol offers full-time and part-time welding courses at both Aberdeen Altens and Fraserburgh campuses.