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RNLI Buckie volunteers respond to PAN PAN, bring pleasure craft to safety

Lifeboats News Release

Around 6.00pm on Tuesday evening 2nd May 2023, the skipper of a 30ft pleasure craft on passage to Inverness issued a PAN PAN ‘urgency’ call on his VHF radio.

Buckie Lifeboat brings the casualty vessel into harbour after sunset

RNLI Buckie

Buckie Lifeboat brings the casualty vessel into harbour after sunset

This indicated to the Coastguard that, although he was not in immediate danger, he had problems and his situation was deteriorating in a way which might become dangerous – a ‘distress’ or MAYDAY situation.

In reality, his engine had failed, his boat was adrift a mile off Cullen and he was being blown steadily toward the rocky coast. Unless his engine restarted or he received assistance, he would be in danger of being driven ashore within the hour.

Two craft responded to the PAN PAN message on Channel 16. Wildcat 15 was returning from offshore duty and diverted to stand by. The RNLI Buckie Lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard to offer direct assistance.

Duty coxswain Mike Rennie put to sea with a crew of seven around ten minutes later and made best speed to the casualty’s location – now only half a mile from the rocks.

A tow line was passed and the small craft towed to safety in Buckie.

This was a ‘first shout’ for trainee crewmember Clara Mowatt and allowed the crew to implement towing procedures recently rehearsed in training.

RNLI Buckie station coxswain Davie Grant served as mechanic/radio operator on the shout and had a good chance to observe his crew in action.

Coxswain Davie Grant says: “The new Operational Competency Framework training being rolled out across the RNLI is having a significant impact. The crew’s understanding of the tow processes, which we have been refreshing recently, led to a really smooth, routine recovery of the vessel.”

Both vessels were alongside shortly after 8.00pm, when the lifeboats volunteer crew began washdown and refuelling before heading home for a much-delayed evening meal.

Further information from

Terry McNeill, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Buckie Lifeboat Station, Tel 07941 329798

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Media Officer (Scotland), Tel 07826 900639

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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