Mayday call sparks second launch for Oban RNLI Lifeboat
Having already assisted a motorboat taking on water off Lismore on Sunday, the crew were woken by the sound of their pagers early this morning (Monday 21 September) to a Mayday call from a yacht.
The volunteer crew of ‘Mora Edith MacDonald’ were requested to launch at 1.26am this morning, to reports of a 32ft yacht with two persons on board, understood to be aground and taking on water, in the popular anchorage of Puilladobhrain at the north end of the Isle of Seil.
The lifeboat proceeded to the anchorage and on arrival it was clear that the yacht was well aground but didn’t appear to be taking on any water. The volunteer crew launched their daughter craft known as the ‘xp boat’ to assess the situation. With the tide not due to rise for a few hours, the decision was made to take one of the persons on board back to Oban, leaving the skipper on board the yacht.
So, the volunteer crew proceeded back to Oban for an hours rest, before launching again to refloat the vessel.
Then, at 4.30am, the lifeboat launched again and proceeded back to the scene to assist the yacht in refloating on the rising tide. The xp boat was used again to check for any damage and make sure the yacht had full propulsion and steerage.
Once the vessel was clear of the shore and with no damage sustained, it was able to make way under its own power. The lifeboat escorted it back to Oban where it safely secured to a mooring.
The lifeboat returned to station, where it was cleaned in accordance to COVID19 requirements and made ready for service again by 7.30am.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.