Déjà vu for Girvan Lifeboat with 2 identical calls in 2 days

Callout 1

Monday 9th Sept at approx 13:16 Girvan lifeboat volunteer crew sprang into action when the pagers were activated, with the lifeboat leaving the pier end within 8 minutes of the activation, the lifeboat was soon making best speed South to the location near lendalfoot.

The info passed to us was a commercial vessel had a rope around its propeller, it was disabled due to this and unable to make headway, it was in shallow rocky water and being blown closer onto the rocks by a lively NW wind. CGOC Belfast Coastguard also mobilised Coastguard rescue teams from Girvan and Ballantrae.

Girvan lifeboat was soon on scene and stood down a local charter boat that had been standing by the casualty, once it was ascertained everyone on board was safe and well a tow was soon established, due to the shallow depth, girvan lifeboat could only get so close, so our daughter craft was set to work and utilised to pass the tow to the casualty boat, once the tow was secure the boat pulled away from any danger, the casualty vessel was taken by tow back to Girvan where she was safely berthed and the lifeboat returned to berth and made ready for service.

Callout 2
Tuesday 10th Sept

At around 16:33 once again the crews pagers went off, with volunteer crew quickly gathering at the station, lifeboat 13-23 'Elizabeth and Gertrude Allan' was soon launched and making it's way South.

Approx a mile and a half in a different location a different casualty vessel had once again had its propeller fouled, and was unable to make any headway.

Girvan lifeboat and her volunteer crew were quickly on scene where a tow was established with the casualty vessel, the boat was taken under tow back to Girvan where once again it was safely berthed and the crew disembarked none the worse for wear.

Girvan lifeboat returned to berth and was made ready for the next service call.

If in any doubt it is always best to call for help either via radio or by dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard, where assistance can be coordinated and assets mobilised immediately, resulting in help getting to you quickly.

Key facts about the RNLI

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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