
Tobermory RNLI launches to grounded yacht
Tobermory lifeboat was requested to launch by the UK Coastguard on Friday 28 June to a yacht aground towards the western end of Loch Sunart.
The volunteer crew were paged at 1.45pm and headed to the casualty vessel, 7 miles northeast of Tobermory in Glenborrodale Bay. Once on scene, they were met with the owner where the yacht had become grounded after breaking a mooring. With the tide falling and with the yacht posing no danger to other vessels, it was decided to return on the rising tide later in the evening to assist with refloating.
The all-weather lifeboat launched once again shortly before 9pm and returned to the casualty vessel. The lifeboat’s daughter craft (the Y-boat) was launched and a line attached to the yacht to help guide her off the rocks. On the rising tide, the yacht refloated under her own power and sustained no damage. The Y-boat was recovered and the crew returned to Tobermory.
Deputy Coxswain Dave Underwood said: ‘The yacht owner did the right thing by calling the Coastguard so as not to put himself in any danger. We would like to thank the Salen Coastguard Rescue team for their assistance onshore.’
This service followed on from a ‘shout’ on Friday 21 June to assist a kayaker in the water off the west coast of the island of Coll, 20 miles west of Tobermory. The kayaker had entered the water in an attempt to retrieve his kayak that had been washed out to sea. The UK Coastguard was alerted and requested the Tobermory lifeboat to attend along with Rescue 199 Coastguard helicopter, Coll Coastguard Rescue Team and a local doctor. The kayaker managed to get himself ashore after some 90 minutes in the water. He was assessed on scene by medics and was suffering from hypothermia and minor injuries sustained on the rocky shore. He has since recovered from his ordeal and thanked all who attended for their assistance.
RNLI media contacts
Leanne Blair, Tobermory RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07711549609 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
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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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