Islay RNLI called out three times

On the first call-out, on Saturday 11 July at 12.29pm, Islay’s volunteer crew launched the all-weather RNLI lifeboat Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II following concerns from a vessel who had seen, and then lost sight of, a kayaker in the Corryvreckan whirlpool. The lifeboat made haste to the scene. The kayaker was later located safe and well ashore.

Islay lifeboat was launched for the second time on Tuesday 14 July at 11.40am following a 'Pan-pan' distress signal from a yacht which had struck rocks in Glenbatrick Bay, on the south side of Loch Tarbert, Jura. The vessel had two people on board, one of whom was suffering an injury. At the scene, the decision was made by the coxswain to tow the yacht to the nearest safe and suitable port. The yacht was towed to Port Askaig, where it was met by the local Coastguard for further assistance and care.

The third call-out for the volunteer crew was on Sunday 19 July at 5.28pm to an injured sailor on a yacht in Loch Tarbert, Jura. Islay’s crew launched the all-weather lifeboat and made way to the vessel, which had two people on board. Two casualty carers from the RNLI crew went aboard to assist. The casualty required extrication and was taken back to Port Askaig under the care of the crew before being transferred ashore to await an ambulance for further treatment.

Islay RNLI would like to thank all the vessels and services that assisted in these rescues, including the Jura passenger ferry, the local Coastguard Rescue Team, and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use marine VHF radio Ch 16 or dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Hannett, 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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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.