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Invergordon Lifeboat launched to broken down RIB with two persons onboard

Lifeboats News Release

Invergordon’s Volunteer Lifeboat crew were launched at 8.36pm Saturday 23 November to reports of a vessel adrift with no power drifting towards Oil Rigs in the Cromarty Firth

The RNLI Invergordon All-weather Trent Class Lifeboat ‘Douglas Aikman Smith’ left her berth and made best speed up the Firth to the location of two anchored oil rigs, iconic fixtures in the firth, with the male occupants of the stricken RIB signalling by head torch their location.

After suffering engine trouble the RIB, shortly after setting off from Nigg, had drifted a considerable distance with the incoming tide coming close to the unmanned structures before the lifeboat arrived on scene 5 minutes after launching.

With no medical issues and the casualties assessed the Lifeboat took the 10ft RIB under tow to Nigg Slipway to be recovered.

Once arriving at Nigg Slipway, two crew members escorted the males occupants ashore in the Trent’s daughter XP boat, before taking the RIB ashore and assisting with recovery onto a trailer.

With Aberdeen's HM Coastguard updated, the all-weather lifeboat was released from service to make its way back to Invergordon’s West Harbour.

The Lifeboat was refuelled and made ready service by 10:25pm.

Volunteer Crew recovering RIB at Nigg

RNLI/Michael MacDonald

Volunteer Crew recovering RIB at Nigg
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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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About the author

Michael MacDonald
Lifeboat Press Officer, Invergordon Lifeboat Station

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