Welfare concern sparks Lifeboat Call-out
The Invergordon RNLI lifeboat “Douglas Aikman Smith” launched this afternoon to a help in a coastal search of the Shandwick Bay area for a 61-year-old local woman, last seen this morning.
The Volunteer crew launched the All-weather Trent Class Lifeboat at 2.44pm with a crew of 6 to undertake a search for the woman last reported last seen on Shandwick Beach this morning.
Aberdeen Coastguard also requested the attendance of Local Coastguard teams to assist in the search with Police Scotland.
The Lifeboat made best speed up the Cromarty Firth and began the search 2 miles south of Shandwick Bay, close to search area which 2 teenagers were found on cliffs a couple of nights earlier.
Report from Aberdeen Coastguard and Police Scotland advised that the woman was seen to enter the water this morning for a swim, and had since changed clothing but had returned to the shoreline where she was then last seen.
The volunteer crew carried out an extensive coastal search with the deployment of the All-weather Lifeboat’s XP daughter craft for a more detailed shore search with 2 crew on-board.
The crew had identified 2 potential sightings but after the XP Crew had spoken these were quickly dismissed from the search.
Search continued to the north of Balintore Harbour up towards Cadboll Point.
Local Coastguard Teams advised the female casualty had been located on higher ground, with that the Lifeboat was stood down and returned to Invergordon West Harbour berth.
Invergordon Lifeboat spokesperson Michael MacDonald stated “It was a positive outcome for all parties involved, and we are happy to hear the woman has been found safe and well”
The Lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service by 5.40pm.
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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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