Portree RNLI lifeboat called to distress alert beacon

Monday 31 August 2026

Portree lifeboat Peter and Mary and her volunteer crew were paged at just before 2.30pm on Sunday 30 August, following a request to launch by HM Coastguard who had received a report of a distress alert beacon being activated in the Loch Torridon area.

These beacons, called EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), are designed to automatically send out a distress alert in the event of an emergency.

Portree lifeboat launched and started making best speed towards the area. The RNLI flanking station at Kyle of Lochalsh and the HM Coastguard Rescue 948 helicopter from Stornoway were also called to the scene in response to the alert.

After conducting a search of the Loch Torridon area, and with no emergency evident, Portree lifeboat was stood down and the alert beacon determined to be a false alarm.

Stuart Nicolson, Coxswain at Portree RNLI, said:

‘We made best speed towards the Loch Torridon area in order to start searching for any sign of distress, following the report from HM Coastguard that the EPIRB had been activated. Although the alert was determined to be a false alarm after searches were completed, it is always incredibly important that we get to the area as quickly as possible in case there is an emergency that requires immediate attention.

‘I would like to share my thanks to all the vessels that were in the local area who also responded to the emergency alert.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Robert MacInnes, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI: 07950 421829 / [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]

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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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.

Portree RNLI lifeboat called to distress alert beacon

RNLI Media Contacts

Key facts about the RNLI

Learn more about the RNLI

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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