Tobermory RNLI welcome ocean rower – and then leave him hungry
Tobermory RNLI welcomed ocean rower Andy Hodgson who is rowing solo around Britain when he arrived in Tobermory - but then left him hungry.
Andy is attempting the first solo circumnavigation of Britain by manpower alone and he is raising money for the RNLI and the mental health charity, MIND. He is using a Rannoch R15 off shore rowing boat measuring just 7 metres from bow to stern. Andy is living onboard 24 hours a day and carrying all the provisions required for the trip. He is stopping only to eat, sleep and shelter from any storms. He will not be stepping back on dry land until the challenge is over.
On hearing that Andy was rowing around Mull, Tobermory RNLI sprung into action to welcome him into the bay. Having been donated a fish supper from the Pier Café and carrying a bottle of Pusser’s Navy Rum, Coxswain David McHaffie and Volunteer Crew Iain ‘Ogg’ Mackenzie went out to greet Andy in his rowing boat as he rowed into Tobermory Bay. Sadly as he is self sufficient for the journey, he had to decline both the fish supper and the bottle of rum – although he did ask for the latter to be posted to his finish line.
Tobermory RNLI’s Coxswain David McHaffie said: ‘Andy is undertaking a huge challenge, especially for someone who had never set foot onto a rowing boat until last year. He is raising money for two great causes: the RNLI and MIND. We’re so sorry that he wasn’t able to accept our hospitality tonight but we wish him well for the rest of his journey and we will make sure that the bottle of rum reaches him when he steps ashore.’
You can follow Andy's Round Britain Row via https://www.facebook.com/roundbritainrow/
Notes to editors
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.
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.