Tobermory RNLI in late night shout to injured skipper

Tobermory RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey, was launched following a report from Stornoway Coastguard that a 40 foot fishing boat had apparently ‘hit something’ in the Sound of Mull off Calve Island. On arriving at the scene, the volunteer crew established that the vessel had grounded several times and that the skipper had sustained a head injury and suspected broken ribs. Fortunately, there was no evidence of any water ingress. Two RNLI volunteers went aboard the fishing boat to administer casualty care to the man and the vessel was taken under tow by the lifeboat. The sea conditions were calm with a light wind.

On arrival at Tobermory harbour, the fishing boat was put safely alongside the pontoon and the skipper was transferred to the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and taken to hospital. The lifeboat returned to station where she was refuelled and made ready for service shortly before 2am on Thursday morning.

Tobermory RNLI Coxswain, David McHaffie said: ‘This has been a busy week so far for our volunteer crew. We have had three shouts, two of which have been late at night, and a number of our crew have also been involved in operational assessments by one of the RNLI’s Divisional Assessor Trainers. It was fortunate last night that conditions in the Sound were calm and that the fishing boat did not take on any water. We would like to wish the skipper a speedy recovery from his injuries.’

Notes to editors

Video of this service will be available in due course.

For further information, please contact Dr Sam Jones, Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07747601900 or email [email protected].

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