Yacht aground sparks launch of Oban RNLI lifeboat
Oban RNLI lifeboat ‘Mora Edith MacDonald’ was called upon this afternoon (Saturday 26 June) to assist a yacht that had run aground in the sound of Kerrera.
Volunteers of Oban RNLI were requested to launch by UK Coastguard at 2pm this afternoon as a yacht had run aground at Little Horseshoe Bay in the sound of Kerrera. The lifeboat launched shortly after the pagers sounded and made ready the ‘xp boat’ carried onboard, whilst on route. The small inflatable daughter craft is used to access areas too shallow for the lifeboat itself.
Once on scene, a crew member boarded the xp boat and proceeded to the yacht to asses the situation and check that everyone on board was safe. With no one injured and no water ingress visible, the lifeboat stood by to await the rising tide. It was understood that the yacht may have also fouled its propellor and so the lifeboat stood by to ensure all was well as the vessel refloated.
By 3.20pm the yacht had refloated on its own and with no damage sustained, was able to proceed under its own engine. The yacht continued north to Oban where they were safely berthed along side at Oban Marina by 3.45pm.
Oban lifeboat returned to station, where she was made ready for service again shortly after.
Our thanks to the CalMac ferry ‘Cavoria’ for standing by.
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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