
Tobermory RNLI responds to Mayday call from stricken yacht
Tobermory lifeboat was launched on Saturday 16 November to assist a yacht with engine failure, 500 metres west of the Ardnamurchan peninsula.
The volunteer crew’s pagers sounded at 10.40am after the UK Coastguard received a Mayday from the 10m yacht with five persons onboard that was being pushed towards the shore in force 5-6 winds and two metre seas after suffering a loss of power. Once on scene, after communicating with the skipper of the yacht it was ascertained that all onboard were well, albeit rather shaken up.
The coxswain decided the safest option was to escort the yacht under sail to Tobermory Harbour. With the storm jib raised, the yacht made steady progress towards the safety of Tobermory Bay with the lifeboat nearby at all times. In the lee of the bay, the lifeboat set an alongside tow up and towed the yacht to the pontoons where she was secured with the help of the Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service by 1.30pm.
Deputy Second Coxswain Dave Underwood said; ‘We would like to extend thanks to the crew of the Loch Linnhe ferry for deviating from their route to provide assistance and to the passengers onboard who experienced a rather bumpy journey to Tobermory.’
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
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
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.