Oban Lifeboat launches into Storm Éowyn
The volunteer crew of the Oban Lifeboat were paged yesterday afternoon (Friday) after a lifejacket was spotted in the water of Oban Bay.
The crew of The Campbell-Watson located the semi-inflated lifejacket quickly and, working with the shore-based Coastguard Rescue Team, were able to establish that there was no person in the water.
While returning to the lifeboat station, the Coastguard rescue centre tasked the crew to investigate following a 999 call reporting that a fishing boat had been blown from its moorings by the storm force winds.
The crew of the fishing boat reported that they had gone on board to check the mooring ropes just before the vessel broke away from its berth.
The lifeboat stood by until the crew of the fishing boat were able to return to land safely.
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.