RNLI Invergordon rescues Drifting RIB in Cromarty Firth.

The volunteer crew of 7 launched the all-weather Trent class Lifeboat at 9.35pm, in search of a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) reported to Aberdeen Coastguard that had experienced an electrical problem which caused the vessel to become immobilised and now adrift in the Cromarty Firth.

With the crew keeping a lookout, and making way to the given position, the causality vessel was soon spotted near to the given location.

With a tow-line already setup by the sole person on-board to pass to the Lifeboat, the vessel was quickly under tow back to it’s berth within Cromarty harbour.

On the approach to the Cromarty the vessel was brought alongside the lifeboat for negotiation into Cromarty harbour entrance, with the vessel owner and a crew member on board to help assist securing to a mooring on the pontoon.

Once secure, the Lifeboat made best speed back to her Invergordon West Harbour berth, where she was refueled and made ready for the next service call at 10:30pm.

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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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