Oban lifeboat tasked to assist grounded yacht
A yacht aground at the south end of Kerrera sparked the launch of Oban lifeboat yesterday evening (Tuesday 18 July).
Oban RNLI lifeboat departed the berth and arrived on scene shortly after at 6.17pm to find the yacht hard aground with a heavy list. The volunteer crew launched the lifeboat's daughter craft to assess the situation. With the tide still falling the decision was made to secure the vessel and return later once there was enough water to refloat.
The lifeboat then returned to station to wait for the tide to rise enough for the yacht to refloat, launching again a few hours later at 9.30pm.
Once back on scene the lifeboat's daughter craft was used again to put a crew member onboard to assist the solo yachtsman with the re-floating of the vessel. By 10.45pm the yacht was afloat and clear of any shoreline. She was then taken under tow to Oban where she was safely back on her own mooring and the owner safely ashore by 11.50pm.
Oban lifeboat returned to her berth where she was refuelled and made ready for service again by 12am.
Notes to editor;
Photos attached of the yacht aground with Oban lifeboat and her daughter craft on scene.
RNLI media contacts: Leonie Woolf, Oban Lifeboat Deputy Press Officer
Tel: 07818 861517/ 01631 569735 Email: [email protected]
Or Richard Smith, Public Relations Manager Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or
Or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026,
Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
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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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