Unusual object seen on Loch Ness, investigated and recovered by RNLI team
Following a sighting of an unusual object in the water, by a UK Coastguard helicopter, heading south over Loch Ness, the "Sheila and Dennis Tongue IV" was launched to investigate.
Following the page, shortly before 10am, the lifeboat made best speed to the location, which was mid-loch, between Urquhart Bay and Foyers power station. This was actually the first Shout for new recruit Kieron Tarling, so it carried some extra significance.
On arrival at the scene, the team were able to locate the balloon very quickly, and thanks to the very calm conditions on the loch, could establish that there was no-one else in the surrounding area in distress.
New recruit Kieron spoke about his first Shout, saying "I couldn't have really asked for a better first Shout, everyone was safe and completely professional, but we did get a bit of a laugh with regards to the casualty".
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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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