Busy spell continues with two shouts in two days for RNLI Tighnabruaich.
Pagers alerted RNLI volunteer crew on Tuesday 6 June responding to a report of an activated emergency rescue beacon which the Coastguard requested assistance to trace.
A further call out came on Thursday 8 June to assist a yacht with a fouled propellor drifting in strong winds near Portavadie marina on Loch Fyne.
With the first shout, the volunteer crew launched and were directed toward Loch Fyne as the initial detection of the beacon indicated it was near Lochgiphead but it’s location unclear. Tasked to a shoreline search moving North from Tarbert, the inshore lifeboat worked to detect any signal which could locate the device. Meantime the Coastguard helicopter was searching further North and located the device on land. This confirmed the device had been disposed of and indicated no further risk, so the lifeboat crew were returned to station and stood down.
The second call out took the rescue service in the same direction to a yacht whose sail had become entangled on the propellor. Arriving on the scene the casualty vessel was found to have been assisted by nearby fishfarm staff and was no longer drifting. With strong winds and hindered mobility, it was deemed safest to tow the yacht to the safety of the nearby marina where Kames Coasguard Recue Team volunteers ensured the wellbeing of those on board.
If you get into trouble in the water, or spot someone else in need of emergency assistance, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.