Tobermory RNLI lifeboat has two ‘shouts’ in eight hours

Tobermory RNLI’s Severn class all weather lifeboat, Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey, was launched at 2.20pm to go to the assistance of a yacht with a starter motor problem and three people on board. On arriving at the scene around 15 minutes after launch, the lifeboat crew found that the yacht was being assisted by another yacht. Tobermory’s volunteers took over the tow and recovered the yacht to the pontoons in Tobermory harbour.

Just under eight hours later, Tobermory’s volunteer crew responded to their pagers again following the report of a RIB which had been sighted from the shore in the Sound of Mull and appeared to be in difficulty. The lifeboat was launched shortly after 10.15pm. Arriving on scene, the three people on board the RIB confirmed that they were safe and happy and had been fishing. The lifeboat crew stood by as they returned to shore. The lifeboat then returned to Tobermory where she was refueled and made ready for service at 11.36pm.

Tobermory RNLI Coxswain David McHaffie said: ‘These were straightforward jobs for us and we’re very grateful to the crew of the other yacht who went to assist the casualty vessel. We were pleased to find that the people in the RIB were safe and also grateful for the person ashore who contacted the Coastguard when they were concerned for their safety. If you see anyone in trouble at the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. We would much rather be called out to a false alarm with good intent than be called out too late’.

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.

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