Yacht in Loch Tuath, assisted by the volunteer crew of the Tobermory lifeboat st

The yacht with three people onboard required assistance after losing the mast. On arrival, just after 7pm, it was clear much of the rigging from the yacht was in the water. At this point the Coxswain assessed the scene whilst approaching the casualty yacht. It was clear much of the rigging was in the water and would need clearing prior to establishing a tow, and get the yacht to safety.

Two of the volunteer crew transferred onto the yacht and assisted in clearing the rigging that was causing the obstruction. Once satisfied that enough rigging had been cleared for a safe tow to be established.

The tow was established and the yacht with three people on board was safely towed into Tobermory harbour and secured on the pontoons. Shortly before 11pm the lifeboat and the volunteer crew returned to the berth and made ready for service.

Crew: Coxswain David McHaffie, Mechanic Paul ‘Gunny’ Gunn, Andrew McHaffie Tony Spillane, Iain Malcolm, Iain MacKenzie, Rose Skelton.

RNLI media contacts:

Michael Stirling, Tobermory Lifeboat Press Officer on 07921 515686, [email protected] or [email protected] boat Press Officer on 07921 515686, [email protected] or [email protected]

Richard Smith, Public Relations Manager Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or [email protected]

Or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]

Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

RNLI onlineFor more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/pressKey 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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland.

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.