Kessock Lifeboat respond to Mayday powerboat call
The volunteer crew from RNLI Kessock lifeboat launched shortly after 2.00pm yesterday (Sunday 22 August) to the highest distress level via UK Coastguard of a 27 foot powerboat in the Moray Firth which had suffered an engine failure following a possible fire.
Kessock’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat The Robert and Isobel Mowat launched with four crew members and made best speed to the location east of the Kessock Bridge where it was established that the suspected fire had been extinguished by the competent crew on board the sports cruiser.
Upon arrival at scene there were several other vessels standing by to offer assistance if required following the Mayday relay alert which had been transmitted to all vessels in the vicinity. Local training centre Compass Sea School were close by under the bridge and were swiftly on scene, where they conducted a safety assessment and established a towline to keep the stricken vessel alongside until the charity Lifeboat arrived soon after to further assess the situation.
The Helm confirmed that the four persons on board were safe and well and wearing lifejackets, and that the best course of action was to tow them to the nearest safe port of Inverness Marina. Upon arrival in the mouth of the River Ness at the entrance to the Marina the vessel was transferred from an astern to an alongside tow and safely transferred to a berth, where they were met by Search and Rescue partners from HM Coastguard Highland.
Jonathan Ashburner, Helm of the Kessock Lifeboat, said, “We are pleased with the swift crew response and successful outcome of today’s shout. The Mayday call is the highest level of emergency and one that our volunteers train for, to ensure we can respond appropriately to preserve life. The skilled and experienced crew of the powerboat took the right action in calling for urgent assistance as soon as an engine fire was suspected. We were glad to be able to assist them during their unfortunate incident.”
He continued, “We are grateful to the Instructor and students onboard the Compass Sea School’s RIB Endeavour for their assistance today, which really demonstrated the teamwork of the maritime community.”
The service was also the first operational shout for one of Kessock’s newest boat trainees. The charity lifeboat returned to the station where it was washed down, refuelled and made available for service shortly after 4.05pm.
RNLI media contacts
Yvette Kershaw , Lifeboat Press Officer, 07809 116153, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07920 365929, [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
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 142,700 lives.
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