Loch Ness RNLI's Seventh Shout this season is to an SOS
A pyjama pager moment for the volunteer crew at Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station (Friday 14 July)
The pagers went off at 9.07pm, and the crew assembled at the station with Lifeboat Operations Manager Joanna in her pyjamas.
The Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat launched at 9.30pm and made its way to the area of a boat house on the south shore, 15 minutes away from the station.
There were three casualties on shore: one Kayak and one canoe. Two crew members went ashore to assess the situation.
The casualties were wet and extremely cold; Loch Ness is 6 degrees, and they had been there for some time.
The individuals from Inverness were three days into their Great Glen Way adventure when the canoe started to take in water. The boathouse was the safest place to stop and get themselves and the boats ashore.
They had no phone battery left, but they did have a whistle, a torch, and the presence of mind to flash SOS, which was spotted by members of the public on the opposite shore at the Invermoriston River, who then called 999.
The Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat crew were joined at 9:55pm by Rescue 151, offering assistance. Shortly after, the boat crew relayed with thanks that they were not required.
The crew then got the casualties and their boats safely onto the lifeboat and confirmed with the Coastguard that they would all return to the station at Urquhart Bay.
As it was a Friday night, the DLA Linda had more than enough crew for the boat, and those that remained on shore had an impromptu training session on towing.
When the lifeboat arrived in the harbour, all hands were ready to get the casualties and boats ashore.
The casualty-care-trained shore crew spoke with the casualties and got them a hot shower and cups of tea.
The crew's training and collaboration made this rescue quite a celebration.
Please Read: RNLI Kayaking and Canoeing
The crew on the night:
Shore Crew: Linda, Joanna, Diane, Anne, Barry, Kenny, Craig, David T,
Helm: Niel
Boat Crew: Kieron, John and David M
Notes to editors
ยท Loch Ness lifeboat station has been operating since 2008. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/loch-ness-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Anne Clarke, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Mike Bell, Lifeboat Press Officer, [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
Key facts about the RNLI
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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