Lochinver RNLI launces to yacht in difficulty on Loch Laxford

The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at 9:45pm and launched shortly after, making best speed to reach the casualty vessel on Loch Laxford.

Upon arrival, the casualty vessel was hard aground and with the tide falling, the decision was made to take the yacht’s crew onboard the lifeboat and head to Kinlochbervie to wait for the tide to turn. The two crew members on the yacht were thankfully found to be in good health and uninjured.

At 2:55am, the RNLI Lochinver lifeboat departed Kinlochbervie for the casualty vessel where one of the volunteer crew members and the yacht’s skipper were transferred back onto the vessel to check for damage and set up the tow line.

By 4:30am, the yacht floated free and was towed back to the safety of deeper waters. Once the skipper was sure there was no water ingress, the lifeboat began the tow back to Kinlochbervie, arriving at 6:15am.

Joe Mackay, Deputy Coxswain at RNLI Lochinver Lifeboat Station says: ‘Luckily, the crew of the yacht were well prepared by having a means of contacting the Coastguard for assistance. When heading out on the water, it is extremely important to make sure you have multiple ways of making contact or signalling should you find yourself in trouble and need help.’

ENDS

Notes to editors

· Lochinver Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1967. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lochinver-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Andrew Stewart, Lifeboat Press Officer for Lochinver Lifeboat Station, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 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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