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Two call outs in 24 hours for Tobermory RNLI's volunteer crew

Lifeboats News Release

Tobermory RNLI's volunteer crew responded to two 'shouts' in 24 hours on Friday 7 July and Saturday 8 July 2023.

RNLI/Bruce Crawford/Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust

Tobermory RNLI lifeboat assisting yacht with engine failure
Tobermory RNLI's volunteer crew were paged by the UK Coastguard just after 7.30pm on Friday evening following the report of a yacht with engine failure with one person on board in the Sound of Mull. The lifeboat launched in Force 7 near gale conditions and was quickly on the scene. The crew took the yacht under an alongside tow and brought it to the pontoons in Tobermory harbour.

Just 24 hours later on Saturday evening, Tobermory RNLI's volunteer crew were tasked to a 42 foot yacht with four persons on board which had suffered a small engine compartment fire and was without power off Ardnamurchan Point. The skipper informed the Coastguard that the yacht was not in any immediate danger and was sailing towards Tobermory but that they would need some assistance once in the harbour. Tobermory RNLI's Severn class lifeboat was launched to meet the yacht in the Sound of Mull and passed a tow, bringing it safely alongside the harbour pontoons.

At midnight on Saturday night, Tobermory RNLI received a third launch request from the UK Coastguard but after a discussion with the duty lifeboat launch authority and the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Stornoway, it was agreed that Oban RNLI lifeboat was closer to where the incident was taking place.

Tobermory RNLI Coxswain David McHaffie said: 'This has been a busy couple of days for our volunteers who responded quickly to their pagers. I am particularly grateful to their families who had a disrupted Friday and Saturday night. We're all pleased that there was a good outcome following both incidents'.

David added: 'We are currently recruiting new crew members. If you are interested in joining, please get in touch with the station via [email protected]'.

Further details of Tobermory RNLI's recruitment campaign for volunteer crew can be found at: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/volunteer-alb-crew-tobermory-530973.html

RNLI media contacts

Dr Sam Jones, Tobermory RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer and Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07747601900 or [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




RNLI/Leanne Blair

Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat assisting yacht with alongside tow

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.

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