Kyle RNLI called out to yacht adrift in Loch Alsh

Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen made best speed towards the yacht and was alongside a couple of minutes after launching. A crew member was put onboard the casualty vessel and found recent signs of it being occupied, however it was now empty.

After liaising with the UK Coastguard, the lifeboat took the yacht under tow and headed to Kyleakin, however due to the possibility that someone could have fallen overboard, the UK Coastguard contacted Police Scotland to try and ascertain the owner. By the time the lifeboat had safely secured the yacht in the harbour, the owner had been located and it was confirmed that no one was missing, therefore the lifeboat was stood down and returned to Kyle.

The lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service by 10:00am

Notes to editors

· Please credit the picture to Kyle RNLI

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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.

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