Portree and Kyle RNLI tasked to grounded cargo vessel in Kylerhea Narrows
The volunteer crews of both Portree and Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI were paged in the early hours of the morning (7 October 2024) after a cargo vessel went aground in Lochalsh.
The 88-metre long vessel was on passage through the Kylerhea narrows when she got into difficulty.
Portree RNLI crew were paged at 1.15am on Monday 7 October, with lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker making best speed towards the scene at 25 knots.
RNLB Spirit of Fred Olsen, launched from Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI Lifeboat Station at 1.20am and arrived on scene at 1.30am. HM Coastguard rescue team from Kyle were also tasked to the area.
The Kyle RNLI lifeboat crew went onboard the stricken vessel to assist with checking for casualties and damage to the vessel. Once the Portree RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene, Kyle RNLI stood down from the incident and returned to station at around 3.15am.
Portree RNLI stood by the casualty vessel to monitor the situation and await the refloating of the cargo ship at high tide. A tug boat also attended the scene to provide support until the arrival of the emergency towing vessel. Once refloated, the vessel moved to anchor in Glenelg Bay.
Portree RNLI stood down and returned to Portree for refuelling. Stanley Watson Barker was ready for service again at 11.45am.
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteer crews are ready to respond to calls for help at any time of day or night.
Notes to editors
- Portree lifeboat station has been operating since 1991. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/portree-lifeboat-station
- Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat station has been operating since 1995. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/kyle-of-lochalsh-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Robert MacInnes, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI, [email protected]
Iain Beaton, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI, [email protected]
Andrew MacDonald, Lifeboat Press officer at Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI, [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead 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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