
Islay RNLI tasked to cargo ship aground
On Thursday 13 June at 9.28pm Coastguard UK requested Islay RNLI to launch to a cargo ship suspected of being aground in the Sound of Islay.
Following discussions with the Coastguard, Islay’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat The Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II, launched. The seven volunteer crew onboard the RNLI lifeboat made good speed down The Sound in poor conditions with low visibility, strong winds and rain. The vessel was located close to McArthur’s Head on Islay’s eastern shore.
Upon reaching the scene Islay Lifeboat found that the ship was back afloat after being grounded. Islay’s crew then escorted the ship down the Sound of Islay while the vessel's crew checked for any damage or water ingress following the grounding. The ship chose to proceed to its destination and Islay RNLI were stood down by the Coastguard.
Islay’s volunteer crew returned to Port Askaig 11.09pm and the lifeboat was made ready for service again.
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
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