Training turns to Tasking for Arran RNLI
Arran RNLI had to abandon a training exercise when tasked by Belfast Coastguard to the aid of a fishing vessel in trouble.
At 7.45pm on Wednesday the 27th of September Arran RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew had to respond quickly as Belfast Coastguard requested them to abandon their training exercise to respond to a fishing vessel without steering off the coast of Corrie.
The Arran RNLI inshore lifeboat Rachel Hedderwick and her crew launched at 7.30pm to undergo assessments for some of the crew before being contacted by Belfast Coastguard just 15 minutes into their exercise. The crew diverted to the sea approximately half a mile from Corrie where they located a 40ft fishing vessel that had lost steering. After two members of the crew joined the fishing vessels crew it became apparent that repairs would not be possible at sea and the vessel would need to be towed to a safe harbour. After thirty minutes of towing the vessel with conditions worsening, the Arran RNLI crew requested the assistance of their flank station at Troon for assistance. Once the Troon RNLI all weather lifeboat Jim Moffat was on scene they took control of the tow and brought the fishing vessel into Brodick bay. Once in the shelter of the bay, Arran RNLI resumed the tow and secured the fishing vessel to a mooring before returning to station at 12.20am.
Arran RNLI helm Martin Wood said “After going out with the intention to train and get some of the crew assessed on towing the crew suddenly had to do the job for real. The crew rose to the occasion in one of the most challenging tow jobs we have had for a while. With much appreciated help of our colleagues from Troon RNLI and Belfast Coastguard we were able to get to fishing boat to a safe location where they could spend the night.”
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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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