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Tobermory RNLI responds to a Mayday call and a medevac on the same day

Lifeboats News Release

Tobermory lifeboat was tasked by the UK Coastguard twice on Tuesday 16 July; first to a yacht taking in water and then to a medical evacuation later that day.

Casualty vessel, lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter on scene with Rum in background

RNLI/Andy Tait

Casualty vessel, lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter on scene

The volunteer crew were paged shortly after 12.45pm following a Mayday call made from a 13m yacht taking in water 9 miles north of Coll, 23 miles from Tobermory. The all-weather lifeboat made best speed to the casualty vessel arriving on scene around an hour after being paged. Due to the nature of the call, several vessels in the area proceeded towards the yacht’s location ready to provide assistance if required. Coastguard helicopter Rescue 948 from Stornoway was also tasked.

First on scene was the Rathlin Express; a local wildlife watching vessel who arrived at 1.30pm and stood by ready to assist whilst awaiting the lifeboat. Rescue 948 was also on scene. Before the arrival of the lifeboat, it was established that water ingress had been stopped once the engines were shut down, and the vessel was no longer in immediate danger.

Due to the location of the yacht, lack of engine propulsion on a calm day and the potential for further water ingress, the decision was made to tow the vessel to Tobermory. Divers on a local RIB helped to transfer lifeboat crew members and the salvage pump onto the yacht for the passage to Tobermory. Once the casualty vessel was safely alongside in the harbour, the lifeboat returned to her berth and was made ready for service by 6pm.

After weekly afloat training for the volunteer crew, they were tasked once again shortly before 9.45pm to perform a medical evacuation from a yacht in Tobermory Bay, just a few hundred metres from the berth. The casualty with breathing difficulties received casualty care from the lifeboat crew and was met at the pontoons by the Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team to await the Scottish Ambulance Service for further medical assistance. The lifeboat was made ready for service by 10.30pm.

Lifeboat Operation Manager Dr Sam Jones said: ‘We are extremely grateful to all those vessels which responded to the Mayday from the yacht given its distance from Tobermory. Both of these shouts are also great examples of multi-agency working alongside our colleagues from the Coastguard in Stornoway and Tobermory and the Scottish Ambulance Service. The services also marked the final call outs for Volunteer Crew Jonathon Marks who is moving away. Thanks Jonathon for all that you have done and all of us at the station wish you all the very best for the future. Don’t be a stranger!’

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


Casualty vessel and lifeboat

RNLI/Andy Tait

Casualty vessel and lifeboat
Lifeboat en route to casualty vessel

RNLI/Andy Tait

Lifeboat en route to casualty vessel
Casualty vessel under tow

RNLI/Dave Underwood

Casualty vessel under 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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