RNLI Kessock Rescue Two Men from Sinking Converted Fishing Trawler
At 10.41 am this morning the volunteer crew from RNLI Kessock were paged to respond to a mayday call that had been received by the UK Coastguard just moments earlier from a converted fishing vessel that was taking on water three miles to the east of the Kessock Bridge.
The 40ft boat with 2 people on board had recently left Inverness and had intended to make its way further east along the Moray coast. When the ingress of water was spotted they turned and headed back to Inverness.
The local tourist trip boat Dolphin Spirit kindly stood by the casualty vessel ready to evacuate them before the RNLI arrived on scene. When Kessock lifeboat arrived on scene the master told the volunteer crew he already had about 2ft of water onboard. A volunteer crew from the lifeboat went aboard the sinking vessel with a salvage pump to try and clear the water.
At the same time Helmsman Doug Grant saw that the Plimsoll line at the stern of the boat was already submerged. Knowing how long it would take Invergordon lifeboat to arrive, despite already being en route, he requested the larger pump carried by UK Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 951 based at Dalcross to help clear the water.
The crew member from the casualty vessel was evacuated and passed onto the Dolphin Spirit while the Master stayed aboard to help clear the water. The RNLI salvage pump was able to prevent the water level rising further. With the casualty vessel still able to make way under her own power, the lifeboat escorted it back to Inverness
Although the wind was south westerly force 4 to 5 and increasing quickly, the tide was rising and helped speed the passage back to Inverness where the flooded vessel was quickly lifted out of the water by staff at Inverness Marina.
Volunteer Helmsman at RNLI Kessock Doug Grant said ‘Raising the alarm early without doubt helped save this vessel and ultimately two lives. The Master of Dolphin Spirit was a huge help on scene as were all the other Search and Rescue teams involved. My advice to anyone heading out on the water would be make sure you know before you leave how to call for help if you need it. Knowing that in advance today made a huge difference.’
With everyone safely on dry land, RNLI Kessock volunteers were stood down and returned to their boathouse under the Kessock Bridge and were ready for service again by 12.30pm.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Please note the casualty wasn’t at any point taken under tow by the lifeboat.
Attached picture are from the rescue. Please credit RNLI Kessock. Video footage may be available later.
Media Contacts
Dan Holland, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Kessock, 07900 567 496 [email protected]
Henry Weaver, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]
Gemma Mcdonald, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland. 01738 642956, 07826 900639, g[email protected]
RNLI 24 hour Press Office, 01202 336789
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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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