At 12:27pm this afternoon Oban Lifeboat launched into Storm Force winds to investigate reports of a vessel adrift and possibly in distress to the north east of Lismore.
Oban Lifeboat launched with 7 Crew, arriving into the area at shortly after 1pm and recording wind speeds of a steady 56 knots.
The incident began with a 999 call to the UK Coastguard from a member of public concerned for the safety of a boat near the Isle of Lismore. The description of the way in which the boat was moving suggested that it was adrift and therefore possibly in distress. Searches were made by Oban Lifeboat and Oban and Appin Coastguard Rescue Teams as far north as Cuil Bay, checking all inlets and moorings along the way. The search was broadened during the afternoon to include the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R199 based in Prestwick and also Fort William Coastguard Rescue Team.
As the search continued Oban Lifeboat was released to make contact with one of the first informants on the Isle of Lismore, coming alongside at Achnacroish Pier and gaining further information. At 4:03pm it was decided that the area had been thoroughly searched and the reports were likely to be a false alarm with good intent.
Oban Lifeboat therefore departed the scene and arrived back in the berth at 4:24pm.
Some great photos thanks to Stephen Lawson, Stephen Lawson Photography.
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.
