Mayday call to bulk carrier
Oban Lifeboat was requested to launch this morning (Tuesday) to a heavily loaded quarry transport ship in the Lynn of Morvern, which had lost her main engine and, because the depth of water did not allow her to drop an anchor, was drifting in moderate winds.
A Mayday was announced and the RNLI’s Tobermory Lifeboat was also launched. Several other vessels offered assistance. Oban Lifeboat was assigned the role of On Scene Commander.
The rate and direction of the bulk carrier’s drift meant there was no immediate danger, allowing some breathing space without the need to attach a tow.
The vessels that had responded all stood by and, after several failed attempts, the bulk carrier’s crew managed to start the engine just less than two hours after the initial call.
The volunteer crew of The Campbell-Watson escorted the vessel as she made way under her own steam to anchor south of Lismore, after which they were able to return to base.
The crew of Oban Lifeboat would like to thank the vessels that came to the assistance of the ship.
The shout, the first in March, coincided with the first anniversary of 13-50 The Campbell-Watson coming onto service at Oban.
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