Continuing Busy Time for Islay’s RNLI Lifeboat
On Thursday 26 July a 14 metre yacht required assistance after losing power and drifting in strong winds.
At 5.50pm Belfast Coastguard called on the Islay RNLI lifeboat to go to the aid of a yacht that was drifting off the north east end of Gigha in good visibility but a strong Force 6 wind.
The Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II was launched at 5.15pm with a crew of seven on board and made good time to the disabled vessel. On arrival at the scene it was discovered by the lifeboat that there was a rope around the propeller so it was necessary to take her in tow. She was safely towed to Kennacraig where she was met by Tarbert Mobile Coastguards who had also been alerted.
This call out follows on from one on Saturday 14 July when the lifeboat was asked to go to a yacht that was reported to be taking on water after hitting a reef in Loch Tarbert on Jura.
However, on arrival it was discovered that the yacht was at her moorings, the crew safely ashore but, before a pump could be put on board, the yacht sank.
These incidents illustrate how important the RNLI lifeboat is for saving lives at sea around our coast. The RNLI is a volunteer organisation that depends on donations to fund its operations, so please come to the Islay RNLI Open Day on Sunday 5 August at Port Askaig, have fun and help with your donations. They are always appreciated.
RNLI media contacts
Heather Dewar, RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer at Islay, on 01496 840600 (H) and Islay lifeboat station on 01496 840608, email [email protected]
Henry Weaver, Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, Regional Media Officer for Scotland on 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]
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.