
Islay RNLI assist yacht 3 miles off the coast of Islay
On Thursday 29 June Islay lifeboat was tasked to launch by HM Coastguard UK to a yacht with engine failure three miles north-west of Coull Point, Isle of Islay.
In dry weather conditions with a 3-metre swell and a south-westerly breeze the lifeboat with her seven volunteer crew arrived on scene at 5:05pm.
The yacht with three crew members was drifting on the ebb tide at a rate of 3 knots. The decision was made that the yacht should be towed to nearest safe and suitable port.
The 12.5m yacht was secured with a towline and both vessels made way back to Port Askaig, returning at 8:55pm where the yacht was securely moored with assistance of the Islay Coastguard. The lifeboat was ready for service again by 9:45pm.
A RNLI spokesperson said: ’Foresight and preparedness are key qualities in a mariner, and these allowed the yacht crew to call for assistance in a timely manner before the issues they were experiencing became a danger either to their own vessel or others on the water. They did the right thing by calling the Coastguard.’.
If you find yourself in difficulty, or spot someone else in trouble at sea, call 999 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.