Loch Ness RNLI responds to yacht in difficulty on Loch Ness

Four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station were tasked at 21:16 to launch the RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat and made their way towards Urquhart Bay.

Chris Nicolson, volunteer Helm at Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: ‘We were tasked by HM Coastguard to locate a 38ft yacht that had found itself in difficulty while trying to anchor in the bay and had wrapped its anchor trip line around its prop.

‘When we arrived on scene, a member of the crew boarded the vessel to assess the situation and check the welfare of any casualties. The yacht’s crew were concerned that the anchor wasn’t holding and the vessel had no propulsion.

‘We carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action to assist the casualities on board. Given the risks related to the casualties if the vessel was to get into further difficulties, it was determined that towing was the safest option. The yacht was towed into Urquhart Bay harbour and safely moored overnight before the crew returned to the lifeboat station.’

Ends

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

For further information, please contact:

Lynsey Macready, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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