Peterhead RNLI tasked to a Mayday call of a sailing vessel at Cruden Bay

Peterhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat (ALB) launched at 3.04pm on Tuesday 2 August, arriving at the scene at 3.25pm alongside the UK Coastguard helicopter based in Inverness and local Coastguard Rescue team.

Due to the position of the sailing vessel in shallow water, it was too dangerous to approach with the lifeboat. With the assistance of Cruden Bay coastguard, the decision was made to recover the causalities ashore. The volunteer RNLI crew launched the smaller daughter craft to provide safety cover until the casualties were safe.

Peterhead RNLI ALB stood by until high tide. Fortunately, the sailing vessel’s crew had deployed an anchor prior to abandoning and with the rise in the tide, the vessel remained afloat.

The sailing vessel’s engine was started again by a crew member of a smaller local creel vessel before all the boats made their own way back to Peterhead, escorted by the Peterhead RNLI lifeboat in case of any damage.

The sailing vessel and Peterhead RNLI lifeboat arrived back in Peterhead safely at 7.04pm and the lifeboat stood down.

Duty Coxswain Patrick Davidson said: ‘This was an excellent example of a multiagency collaboration with great work from the local Coastguard teams and the local creel vessel in a call out that could have resulted in a far more serious outcome. The sailing vessel’s crew were well equipped and experienced and we are all delighted that they are safe and well. I would also thank my fellow volunteer crew members today.’

ENDS

Notes to editors

· Peterhead RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1865. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/peterhead-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Claire Thomson, RNLI Media Engagement Placement for Scotland, 07929 673286, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.