Tobermory RNLI joins search for man missing off Isle of Rum
The UK Coastguard requested the launch of the Tobermory all-weather lifeboat in the early hours of the morning on Friday 2 September in response to reports of a man missing off the Isle of Rum, south of the Isle of Skye
The volunteer crew responded to their pagers at 3am and made best speed to the west coast of the Isle of Rum to undertake a shoreline search anti-clockwise to Loch Scresort, where the man was last seen on Tuesday night. He was reported missing on Thursday night after his yacht had not moved from a mooring as expected. The search had commenced Thursday night with Mallaig lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter Rescue 948.
On leaving Loch Scresort on the Isle of Rum, the lifeboat searched the waters northwards towards the Isle of Skye and then proceeded to search the coastline from the island of Soay, round Loch Scavaig and Loch Brittle. The lifeboat returned to further search the area around Loch Scresort and with no signs of the missing man, was stood down by the UK Coastguard. The lifeboat returned to Tobermory where she was refuelled and made ready for service by 1pm after covering 115 miles. The search was continued by Police Scotland and local Coastguard Rescue Teams into Saturday afternoon.
Coxswain David McHaffie said: ‘This was an extensive multi-agency search operation involving the RNLI, the UK Coastguard and Police Scotland, as well as many local residents and mariners. We would like to thank the members of the public on Skye and fish farm workers on Rum who assisted with the search and provided us with local knowledge of the area. We are saddened that there wasn’t a more positive outcome. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.’
RNLI media contactsNatasha 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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