RNLI Kessock respond to reports of a vehicle in the water at Ardesier
The volunteer crew from Kessock RNLI Lifeboat launched yesterday (Monday 12 July) at 6.15pm to assess the scene offshore from Ardesier following a report from UK Coastguard of a submerged vehicle close to shore.
Kessock’s charity lifesavers were at the Lifeboat Station about to start their regular weekly training when the pagers sounded for an immediate launch. The crew swiftly assembled, launching within 5 minutes, and made best speed to the scene through wind over tide conditions.
On arrival at the scene in Ardesier it was established via HM Coastguard Highland that the exact location of the submerged vehicle was the disused McDiarmids fabrication yard. Kessock’s inshore Atlantic 85 The Robert and Isobel Mowat could not proceed any further due to tidal restrictions approaching low tide. The lifeboat remained on scene as support for the multi-agency operation involving crews from Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.
Tom Booth, Kessock RNLI Helm, says: ‘Monday’s immediate launch was a prime example of how our commitment to training allows us to react swiftly to a range of scenarios. Our volunteer crew were able to effectively change their planned exercise to respond to the pager and the situation relayed by our search and rescue partners UK Coastguard.’
He continued, “On this occasion we were able to provide safety back up to the local Coastguard teams who entered the water to assess and conclude the situation.”
The lifeboat returned to the station where it was washed, refuelled and available for service by 9.30pm.
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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 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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