Loch Ness RNLI launches for first shout of 2025

Four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station launched the Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat and made their way towards Loch Dochfour to locate a small yacht which was dragging its mooring in strong winds.

Kieron Tarling, volunteer helm at Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station, says: 'The lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard who had received a request from Police Scotland to assess the situation of a small yacht at Loch Dochfour. The casualty vessel appeared to be dragging its mooring in strong winds and drifting down the loch.

'Despite strong winds and large waves hampering our speed slightly, we reached the vessel in around 25 minutes. The lifeboat moved alongside the vessel and a member of the crew checked the vessel to confirm there were no casualties on board. The buoy and mooring lines were also checked and it was confirmed they were holding fast despite being tested by a strong flow of water pushing the boat backwards.

'As helm, I assessed the situation before making the decision that towing the vessel from its mooring would not be necessary. The mooring was a safe distance from the main channel and so the vessel was not a direct hazard to other passing vessels.

'The crew’s return to the lifeboat station was more challenging as we faced two metre waves rolling in sets. At times, the front of the lifeboat lifted around five metres in the air before dropping back down which showed the tough conditions that the crew often face on Loch Ness. Our training and more than capable B-class lifeboat ensured the crew and lifeboat made it back to the station with everyone safe and well.'

Notes to editors

· Loch Ness lifeboat station was established in 2008

· Situated on the northern shore of the iconic Loch Ness, lifeboat station volunteers operate in a unique, inland environment

· To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/loch-ness-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Lynsey Morgan, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, 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

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, X, TikTok 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.