Tobermory RNLI lifeboat in search with Mallaig RNLI and Coastguard helicopter
Tobermory RNLI’s volunteer crew were tasked to join Mallaig RNLI lifeboat and an HM Coastguard helicopter to search for an overdue kayaker off the Ardnamurchan peninsular on the evening of Sunday 15th July.
The kayaker, believed to be using an inflatable kayak, had advised a person ashore of his plans but had not returned and was reported as overdue. Tobermory RNLI’s Severn class lifeboat, Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey, launched shortly before 6.30pm and proceeded to the north coast of Ardnamurchan where she carried out a shoreline search in conjunction with Mallaig RNLI’s lifeboat and HM Coastguard’s search and rescue helicopter from Inverness. At 9pm, Stornoway Coastguard advised that the kayaker had been found ashore safe and well. Tobermory’s volunteer crew returned to Tobermory where the lifeboat was made ready for service at around 10pm.
Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Dr Sam Jones said: ‘We’re pleased that we had a good outcome and that the kayaker was found safe and well. It is very important that kayakers leave details of their plans with someone ashore and carry a means of communication within reach which they can use to alert someone that their plans have changed or that they are in difficulty. We’d also suggest that careful consideration should be given to using inflatable kayaks in our local waters, particularly with an offshore wind. For more details on kayak safety, please visit the RNLI website’.
Notes for editors
For RNLI advice on kayaking please visit https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing
For further information, please contact Dr Sam Jones, Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07747601900 or Gemma Macdonald, Regional Media Officer for Scotland on 07826 900639.
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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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