Lifeboat assists yacht in Airds Bay

Oban lifeboat was tasked by Stornoway coastguard yesterday evening (Wednesday) to investigate after receiving a call from a member of public reporting that a small yacht was aground in Airds Bay on Loch Etive.

The caller had reported that two people had gone ashore from the yacht, but a third person was still onboard and, concerned for that person’s safety, the Coastguard Rescue Centre tasked Oban lifeboat and the Coastguard Rescue Team to assist.

Once on scene it was discovered that the yacht was aground in about half a meter of water and was being driven further up the shore in the strong North Easterly wind.

The lifeboat coxswain was able to bring The Campbell-Watson close enough to the yacht to speak to the remaining occupant to find out how they were and see if they needed to be evacuated from the vessel.

The person responded that they were okay and confirmed that the other two people were returning with a dingy to attempt to re-float the yacht.

Oban lifeboat stood by using her powerful searchlight to illuminate the scene while the yacht crew made several unsuccessful attempts to get the yacht into deeper water.

It was then agreed that the yacht crew would set an anchor in deeper water and wait for the tide to re-float the vessel. When this was complete, the three people were escorted in their dinghy around to Kelly's Pier and, when it was clear they were safely ashore, Oban lifeboat stood down and returned to station.

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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