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Portree RNLI respond to three shouts in 48 hours

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of Portree RNLI were paged three times in a 48-hour period last week.

RNLB Stanley Watson Barker departing Portree in poor weather conditions for the third shout in 24 hrs.

RNLI/Robert MacInnes

RNLB Stanley Watson Barker departing Portree for the third shout in 24 hrs.
The pagers sounded for the first time at 7.42pm on Thursday 12 September following a man overboard alert from a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), which had initially been picked up by a nearby vessel.

PLBs use search and rescue satellites to send a message to HM Coastguard as a call for help. HM Coastguard then sends search and rescue assets out to the GPS position given by the PLB.

Portree RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker was tasked to the scene along with HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R948 from Stornoway, and HM Coastguard rescue teams from Portree, Duntulm and Dunvegan.

Portree RNLI lifeboat was stood down at Eilean Trodday (North East Skye) following the discovery by the Portree Coastguard rescue team of the relevant PLB in a shed on Uig pier.

Although on this occasion it was a false alarm, the RNLI crew are always ready to respond to a call for help.

The volunteer crew were paged for the second time in just over 24 hours on Friday13 September at 9.37pm. Their all-weather lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker sailed to the neighbouring island of Raasay to assist the Scottish Ambulance Service with an incident there.

Volunteer crew at Portree RNLI were then called for a third time in 48 hours to assist a yacht dragging anchor in Broadford Bay. The crew were paged at 3.26pm on Saturday 14 September.

The Portree RNLI all-weather lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker made best speed towards Broadford Bay in poor weather conditions. The RNLI lifeboat from Kyle of Lochalsh was also tasked to attend the scene.

The Kyle RNLI lifeboat arrived first and made contact with the yacht and yachtsman. It was determined that all was well, and both lifeboats were stood down.

It’s been a busy period for the volunteer crew at RNLI Portree and all are ready to respond 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We are the RNLI - the charity that has been saving lives at sea for 200 years.
RNLB Stanley Watson Barker departing Portree in poor weather conditions for the third shout in 24 hrs.

RNLI/Robert MacInnes

RNLB Stanley Watson Barker departing Portree for the third shout in 24 hrs.
RNLB Stanley Watson Barker moored in Portree.

RNLI/Robert MacInnes

RNLB Stanley Watson Barker

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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