Islay RNLI rescue boat drifting off Mull
On Sunday 10 May at 7.11pm Islay RNLI were requested to launch by HM Coastguard UK to a small boat with two persons and a dog on board. The four-metre vessel was drifting without power approximately three miles off the southern coast of the Isle of Mull.
Islay RNLI launched the all-weather lifeboat Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II, with five crew on board. Visibility was reduced due to passing rain squalls but the crew made good speed north of Islay. The lifeboat passed the Isle of Colonsay heading up to the area the casualty vessel was reported to be, in the waters southwest of Port Uisken. The small boat had now drifted five miles from the original position. A local fishing vessel was able to keep eyes on the casualty boat and stand by until the lifeboat reached them.
Once alongside the casualty vessel it became apparent it was a four-metre flat-bottomed tender boat. The crew were able bring the two people and dog onto the all-weather lifeboat and secure a tow onto the tender so that it would not be a danger to other vessels in the area. In calming sea conditions, the decision was made by the coxswain to deploy the all-weather lifeboat’s smaller onboard y-craft boat to transfer the casualties to safety at Port Uisken, the nearest safe and suitable port. The three casualties were transferred to the local Ross of Mull coastguard team who were waiting ashore.
Once the y-boat and volunteer crew were back on board, the Islay RNLI all-weather lifeboat made the long journey back to Port Askaig. The lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service again by 12.15am.
Relief RNLI Coxswain, Fergus McGlone, said; ‘We are happy that this shout had a good outcome, and everyone got home safe. As we head towards summer, we urge anyone heading out to check weather conditions and tides in advance. Check the suitability of your vessel for the conditions, journey length and the sea state. As well as having a means to navigate safely, always take a means of calling for help such as a VHF radio or personal locator beacon (PLB) and ensure all passengers are equipped with suitable lifejackets. Islay RNLI wish to send thanks to the fishing vessel for your assistance and to the local coastguard for ensuring a safe transfer.’
If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use marine VHF radio Ch 16 or dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Kate Hannett, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
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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