Loch Ness RNLI responds to sailing vessel with engine failure

Four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station were tasked at 19:25 to launch the RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat and made their way towards Fort Augustus.

Kieron Tarling, volunteer Helm at Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: ‘We were tasked by HM Coastguard to locate a sailing vessel that had lost contact and was reportedly having engine trouble somewhere between Invermoriston and Fort Augustus.

‘Our volunteer crew launched and headed south towards Fort Augustus to locate the vessel. We positioned the lifeboat in the middle of the loch with enough visibility to see both shorelines which was challenging with high gusts of wind, one-metre waves and a lot of spray from the water.

‘As we passed Invermoriston, we heard from HM Coastguard that they had made contact with the vessel again at the same time that we located the vessel on the loch. Once on scene, we carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action to assist the casualties on board. Given the risks related to the casualties in the challenging weather conditions, it was determined that towing was the best course of action. The vessel was towed to Fort Augustus and safely moored. We were glad to see a positive outcome for all involved before returning safely 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

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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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