Tobermory RNLI tasked to investigate object in bay

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Dr Sam Jones, spotted the item rapidly drifting out of the bay near to the lifeboat berth shortly after 11am on Sunday morning. The object was thought to potentially be a hi-vis jacket or an inflated lifejacket, but on inspection using binoculars from the lifeboat, this could not be made certain.

After discussion with the UK Coastguard, it was decided to further investigate. The Severn class lifeboat’s daughter craft (the Y boat) was launched with a crew of two and a boiler suit retrieved from the water.

Dr Sam Jones said: ‘We would always rather be called out to a false alarm rather than be called out too late. If you see anything you’re unsure about in or around the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact

Leanne Blair, Tobermory RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07711549609 or [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Manger (Scotland), 07920 365929 or [email protected]

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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 146,000 lives.

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