Invergordon RNLI launched on Pan Pan alert to disabled fishing vessel
The Invergordon RNLI Lifeboat "Douglas Aikman Smith" launched this morning to reports of a Pan Pan received by Aberdeen Coastguard from a Fishing vessel who had lost power.
With good conditions and clear visibility, the crew spotted a fishing vessel in the vicinity around Chanonry Point, which was swiftly confirmed it was not the casualty vessel in question.
Several searches were concluded and with the Lifeboat also entering Avoch Harbour, it was soon established there was no vessel in distress.
The Coastguard stood the Lifeboat down and requested to return to berth in Invergordon.
The reported vessel was later located in Avoch Harbour where it has not moved for several days, by local Coastguard teams and this is now being treated as a Hoax Call where Police Scotland have been informed.
The Lifeboat was back alongside her berth, refuelled and ready for service by 12:30pm.
Volunteer Crew Member & Press Officer Michael MacDonald advised “The RNLI relies entirely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its existence and operational service, and that it was extremely disappointing that people should waste valuable resources of the charitable organisation in such a thoughtless way. He added that it was fortunate that a genuine emergency didn’t occur at the same time.”
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.
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