Girvan lifeboat launched to boat ashore on the rocks
Lifeboat called to stricken small boat near Dunure
29th Sept 10:24 on a quiet Sunday morning, our volunteer crews pagers were activated by the Coast Guard Operations Centre in Belfast, the crew quickly descended on the station from all directions to the briefing that a small boat had engine problems, lost power, the backup engine had failed, and was on the rocks near the fishing village of Dunure around 15 sea miles North of Girvan.
On route, updates came in that the sole occupant thankfully was safely ashore and being checked out by local Coastguard rescue teams from Girvan and Ayr.
Girvan lifeboat arrived soon after and on scene assessed the situation and formulated the best plan for removing the boat from its stricken and precarious position on the rocks.
Due to the shallow depth and dangerous rocks, this prevented the lifeboat getting in close to the vessel, being the safest way to pass the tow line, the decision was taken to pass the tow line to the rescue teams on shore using a rocket line, once secured the crew established a tow to the small vessel, which it later emerged sustained some damage to the hull from the rocky coastline.
Girvan lifeboat safely towed the boat into Dunure harbour where it was berthed and later removed with the assistance of local Coastguard Rescue Teams, the lifeboat then headed back to Girvan where she was made ready for the next callout.
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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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