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RNLI Oban and Islay respond to Mayday call from Fishing Vessel taking on water.

Lifeboats News Release

Oban Lifeboat launched on service at 8.38am this morning (Friday) following a Mayday call to UK Coastguard from a fishing vessel with three persons onboard taking on water.

RNLI/Stephen Lawson

Library

As the volunteer crew of the Shannon class lifeboat The Campbell Watson made best speed to the location of the fishing vessel, south of Iona, an HM Coastguard helicopter was on scene and relaying communications by 9.15am.

When Oban lifeboat arrived on scene at 10.00am the CalMac ferry Loch Buie had established a tow to the casualty vessel which appeared to be listing heavily to starboard.

It turned out that the vessel had been aground and had taken a large wave onboard which had filled the hold. The crew of the fishing vessel had prepared their life raft, which was trailing behind their boat ready, if there was a need, to abandon the vessel.

In heavy seas the volunteer crew made the decision to transfer a salvage pump to the casualty vessel to assist with the pumping out of as much water as possible from below deck.

By 11.00am the crew of the fishing vessel were confident that most of the water had been cleared but there was still a list to starboard due to the movement of the catch and fishing gear. With no propulsion or steering, the decision was made to tow the casualty to the nearest safe and suitable port. At this point Islay lifeboat took over the tow to Oban with Oban lifeboat closely monitoring alongside.

Oban’s All-weather lifeboat then took over the tow at 12.45pm and Islay lifeboat stood down. The volunteer crew arrived back in Oban with the casualty and secured her alongside at 5pm.

Oban lifeboat refuelled and made ready for service at 5.50pm.

Oban RNLI would like to extend their thanks to CalMac, the crew of the Loch Buie, Islay lifeboat and all vessels who responded to the mayday call.

Notes to Editor

The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Picture credit: RNLI/Stephen Lawson

Oban is a busy station serving one of the largest stretches of coastline in the UK, flanked by RNLI colleagues based at Tobermory, Islay and Campbeltown.

The Oban volunteer crew operate the Shannon Class All Weather lifeboat The Campbell-Watson from our base at the South Pier on Gallanach Road, close to the CalMac ferry terminal.

Picture Caption: Library image of The Campbell-Watson

Photo credit: RNLI/Stephen Lawson

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Lawson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Oban RNLI on 07776 340629 or email [email protected]

John Macgill, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Oban RNLI on 07711 548672 or email [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, Regional Media Officer (Scotland), on 07826 900639 or [email protected]

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

RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

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