Kyle RNLI called to reports of a person in the water off the coast of Gairloch
Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI launched this evening, after the UK Coastguard received reports of a person calling for help in the water close to Port Henderson in the Gairloch area
Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched at 7:00pm after the UK Coastguard received reports of someone calling for help a short distance offshore. The lifeboat made best speed towards the area and arrived on scene at 7:40pm, by which time the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter was already searching the area. The lifeboat began coordinating a search of the area with three other vessels, Old Ronnie 2, Maighdean Mhara and Zeus which were in the vicinity. Around 30 minutes later Portree lifeboat arrived on scene and the 5 vessels along with the helicopter, completed a systematic search of the area looking for any signs of a casualty.
At 9:30pm, with the area thoroughly searched, and no sign of any casualty, the search was stood down and it was deemed to be a false alarm with good intent.
Kyle lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back in Kyle at 10:15pm.
Speaking of the incident, a Kyle spokesperson said ‘We completed a thorough search of the area with the help of the other vessels involved and could not locate any sign of a casualty. Although it was a false alarm, the person who reported the incident did the right thing in calling the Coastguard. At this time of year there are a lot of people in and around the waters off our coast, and they thought they heard someone calling for help, so reporting it was definitely the correct thing to do.’
Notes to editors
· This is the 3rd callout since the weekend for our volunteer crew
· Please credit the pictures to Kyle RNLI
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Andrew MacDonald, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07748 707606 or [email protected]
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RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
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