Islay RNLI Easter Sunday callout to distress signal
On Sunday 05 March at 10.39am Islay RNLI were requested to launch immediately by HM Coastguard UK to a distress signal from an emergency positioning beacon. The location was reported to be coming from the Machrihanish area off the western side of the Kintyre peninsula.
As Easter events were about to start across the island, Islay’s volunteer crew launched the all-weather Severn lifeboat The Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II with five crew on board making good speed down the Sound of Islay. Sea conditions were challenging with strong winds and large waves following storm ‘Dave’ the night before. The crew encountered all weathers, from sunny blue skies to rain and snow, while making way to the scene.
Campbeltown RNLI lifeboat crew and a Coastguard UK search and rescue helicopter were also called out for the search. Appropriate search patterns were established with all parties looking to locate the source of the signal. After more than an hour of searching the crews were stood down by Coastguard UK.
The RNLI Islay lifeboat returned to Port Askaig and was made ready for service by 2.00pm.
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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