Tobermory RNLI lifeboat responds to ‘mayday’ call from yacht
Tobermory RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew responded to a ‘mayday’ distress call from a yacht which had lost power and was drifting off Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point of the British mainland on the morning of Wednesday 26th July.
The yacht, a 12 metre converted fishing boat with three people on board, had suffered a complete power failure making VHF communications with the Coastguard and other vessels difficult. Tobermory RNLI’s Severn class lifeboat, Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey, launched at 0845 and made best speed in poor visibility to the last known location of the yacht.
Whilst the lifeboat was under way, a fish farm support vessel, Voe Jarl, responded to the ‘mayday’ call and had managed to pass a tow to the yacht. On arriving at the scene, the lifeboat went alongside the yacht and the RNLI volunteers passed a handheld VHF radio to its crew to enable better radio communications. The Voe Jarl then dropped its towline to enable the lifeboat to pass a tow rope to the yacht. The lifeboat then towed the yacht to Tobermory Bay.
Tobermory RNLI’s Coxswain David McHaffie said: ‘We would like to thank the skipper and crew of the Voe Jarl for responding to the distress call and the calm and professional manner in which they provided assistance to the yacht.’
Notes to editors
The photograph shows Tobermory RNLI lifeboat approaching the casualty vessel. Please credit Steven Morris, Skipper of the Voe Jarl.
For further information, please contact Dr Sam Jones, Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07747601900 or via [email protected]
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