Invergordon RNLI launched on 1st call out of 2022 to stricken walker
The crew pagers sounded at 2.32pm on Sunday 6 March by UK Coastguard’s Aberdeen Operations room requesting the launching of the Invergordon Lifeboat to reports of a person who had fallen down several feet into rocks on the South Sutor.
Arriving on scene shortly after launching, the search began for a male who had slipped on the screed hillside and landed on rocks below, with potential injuries.
The Shannon’s XEP Inflatable Daughter Craft was deployed upon locating the casualty on the shoreline with two first aid crew onboard to assess the situation.
With minor injuries reported, the casualty was evacuated to the all-weather Lifeboat which made best speed back to an awaiting Ambulance waiting at Cromarty Harbour, where he was fully accessed by the Scottish Ambulance Service crew.
With Kessock RNLI also on scene, the all-weather lifeboat then made the trip back to the scene, to collect the two crewmembers who had returned to the shore to undertake another rescue, this time however it was an eager but slightly panicked spaniel called Hunter who was patiently waiting to be reunited with his owner.
With Hunter reunited safely at Cromarty Harbour with his owner, the Lifeboat was released from service and made the journey back to her Invergordon’s West Harbour berth where the lifeboat was washed down, refuelled, cleaned to COVID-19 guidelines, and made ready for service shortly after 5:30pm.
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.