Five call outs in a week for Oban RNLI’s volunteers

Shortly after 3pm on Saturday, the UK Coastguard requested the launch of Oban lifeboat ‘Mora Edith MacDonald’ to assist a yacht that was caught up in fishing gear in a position south west of the island of Lunga.

Oban lifeboat made best speed towards the yacht’s location as a RIB in the area also responded. The RIB proceeded and was able to offer assistance, enabling the yacht to free itself. With no damage sustained, the yacht was able to continue on its way and Oban lifeboat was stood down at 3.45pm, returning to station by 4.30pm.

The pagers sounded again at 9.05am this Sunday morning, this time to assist the Scottish Ambulance Service with the evacuation of a person suffering abdominal pains, onboard a yacht at Oban Marina. As the volunteer crew assembled, it transpired that the yacht was actually lying ashore in the marina’s yard and not in the water. Given the potential extra difficulties this location posted for evacuation, it was decided to take four members of Oban’s Coastguard Rescue Team along with two paramedics to assist.

On arrival at the marina and after initial assessment of the person it was determined that with assistance, they could climb down the yacht’s ladder themselves. Once safely onboard the lifeboat, they proceeded on the short journey back to the lifeboat’s berth where the person was transferred on to a waiting ambulance for further medical care.

Oban lifeboat was made ready for service again by 10.30am.

As restrictions continue to ease Oban RNLI have seen 5 call outs in the last week, their coxswain Ally Cerexhe said “It’s been a busy weekend for our lifeboat and we expect to see a continued rise in activity around our coast. Accidents can happen and our volunteers will be ready to answer every call but we remind everyone to follow relevant safety advice for their activity and carry necessary safety equipment.”

Further water safety advice on different coastal activities and watersports can be found on the RNLI’s website here - rnli.org/safety.

If you find yourself or spot anyone in difficulty remember to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.