Overdue vessel with 2 persons on board sparks large search off the Skye coast
The search involving Kyle & Portree lifeboats, a UK Coastguard helicopter and numerous Coastguard teams began at 8:40pm last night (Saturday 9th May) after a 4 metre rigid inflatable boat was reported as overdue, after failing to return to Strollamus
Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched at 8:45pm after a member of the public had reported the rib with 2 persons and 1 dog on board had failed to return to Strollamus after spending the day at sea. Kyle lifeboat began searching the coastline and small islands from Kyleakin heading north, whilst Portree lifeboat began searching from Portree heading south.
At 10:00pm with the light fading fast and still no sign of the missing vessel, the UK coastguard helicopter from Stornoway was called out and started heading towards the scene. A few minutes later one of the crew onboard Kyle lifeboat spotted a small light on the normally uninhabited island of Scalpay just off the Skye coast. The lifeboat went to investigate and located the 2 missing people, who had gone ashore after suffering engine problems earlier in the day. The crew checked that they were uninjured before taking them onboard the lifeboat and transporting them back to Broadford on Skye, where local Coastguard teams were waiting.
The lifeboat then returned to Kyle where it was refuelled and made ready for service by 11:40pm.
Speaking of the incident, a Kyle RNLI spokesperson said: ‘The couple had gone out searching for whelks when they had issues with their engine, so went ashore on Scalpay. The initial report had said they had a dog with them, however we discovered they had decided to leave it at home on this occasion’. He went on to say: ‘This search shows that during these unprecedented times of lockdown with bans on non-essential travel, the RNLI is still on call 24 hours a day.’
Notes to editors
· This is the 11th callout of the year for Kyle lifeboat
· Please credit the photo to Kyle RNLI (a higher quality version is available if required)
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