Tobermory lifeboat launched to yacht aground in Loch Aline

The crew were paged by the UK Coastguard shortly after 1pm today to assist a 12m yacht, with one person onboard, that had run aground. The all-weather lifeboat made best speed down the Sound of Mull in force 6 winds, arriving at the casualty vessel’s location in the northern end of Loch Aline 45 minutes later.

With Lochaline and Salen Coastguard Rescue Teams standing by on the shore, the lifeboat’s daughter craft (the Y boat) was launched and two crew members approached the yacht as the skipper lifted the anchor. The yacht refloated without further assistance.

The Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey stood by while the Y boat accompanied the yacht to a mooring in Lochaline harbour. Once the yacht was made secure on the mooring and the skipper was happy there was no water ingress, the Y boat was recovered to the lifeboat and the crew returned to Tobermory. The lifeboat was washed down, refuelled and made ready for service by 4.30pm.

Trainee Coxswain Iain ‘Lippy’ Malcolm said: ‘due to the location of the yacht and the strength of the south westerly winds, the skipper made a wise decision to wait for the lifeboat to arrive on scene before attempting to refloat. This was a successful outcome with no damage to the yacht and we wish the skipper a pleasant onward journey.’

For further information, please contact:

Leanne Blair, Tobermory RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07711549609 or leanne_blair@rnli.org.uk

Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Officer (Scotland), 07920 365929 or martin_macnamara@rnli.org.uk

Gemma McDonald, Regional Media Manager (Scotland), 07826 900639 or gemma_mcdonald@rnli.org.uk

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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 142,700 lives.

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