Tobermory RNLI assists yacht aground during busy night on the west coast

Tobermory RNLI initially received a request to launch at 11pm from Stornoway Coastguard to a yacht which was dragging its anchor in Loch Feochan. Loch Feochan is on Oban RNLI lifeboat’s patch but as Oban RNLI’s volunteer crew were already dealing with another incident, Stornoway Coastguard requested Tobermory RNLI’s assistance but then stood the crew down as the yacht’s anchor appeared to be holding. However, an hour later at midnight, Tobermory RNLI received a further request to launch and the Severn class lifeboat Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey launched in storm force conditions to make best speed towards the yacht just after midnight.

Having just entered Loch Linnhe, Tobermory RNLI’s volunteer crew were re-tasked to go to the assistance of a yacht in Loch Alainn which had dragged its anchor and gone aground.

On arriving at the scene, the lifeboat crew found that the wind was gusting up to 60 mph and sea conditions were rough. As the yacht was in shallow water and it was low tide, the lifeboat’s daughter craft, the ‘Y Boat’, was deployed to transfer a tow rope across in very difficult conditions. Following problems with the towrope, the yacht was eventually taken under tow and safely taken to Tobermory harbour. Tobermory RNLI’s lifeboat was subsequently refueled and made ready for service shortly before 6am.

Tobermory RNLI’s Coxswain David McHaffie said: ‘This was a busy night for ourselves, Oban lifeboat and Stornoway Coastguard. We’ve had some great weather this summer but the conditions in Loch Alainn last night were very poor. We’re glad that there was a good outcome for all of the yachts which found themselves in difficulty last night.’

Notes for editors

Video is available of this service.

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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