Lifeboat assists yacht with broken mast on Loch Ness

The Loch Ness lifeboat crew were called out at 4.15pm on Wednesday to Altsigh and immediately set about making the de-masted yacht safe. Crew members detached the trailing sail and cut free the mast which had been in danger of capsizing the yacht. Back under control once again and with the engine running, the casualty yacht then returned to Fort Augustus under its own power, with all its hands safe and uninjured.
The Loch Ness lifeboat Colin James Daniel returned to base, refuelled and made ready for the next shout.
This was the first call out for new RNLI recruit David Ferguson who attended the situation with fellow crew member Linda Izquierdo Ross and Malcolm McNaught at Helm.

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.