Portree Lifeboat's First Launch Under Covid-19 Restrictions
Portree Lifeboat was launched 8.43pm Saturday 9 May 2020
This was a multi-agency response on the Isle of Skye for an overdue boat. Stornoway Coastguard received a report of an overdue small boat from the Loch Na Cairidh area, close to the Strollamus Boat Centre. This was a small RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) with 2 persons and a dog on board which left the area about 11am. They were due to return between 5pm and 6pm later that day.
Concerns were raised and about 8.40pm, both Portree All Weather Lifeboat and Kyle of Lochalsh were alerted and launched immediately.
Both Lifeboats received different search area criteria, with Portree Lifeboat searching from Portree heading south to Loch Sligachan, Loch Na Cairidh.
About 10pm, the Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat located the persons on the small island of Scalpay, just north of Broadford. All were returned to Broadford Slip. Portree Lifeboat was then requested to return to station.
Due to Covic-19 restrictions, any launch of a lifeboat has to be carefully managed, this was no exception.
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