Loch Ness RNLI 12th shout is a first for two crew

Aberdeen Coastguard had received two 999 calls, one reporting someone in a dinghy and the second reporting that a boat had run aground on the weir at Dochfour.

The RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat launched at 7.35pm and the crew made their way to Dochgarroch. On arrival at the scene, they found the casualty vessel with all lights off and no sign of anyone or a dinghy.

The Coastguard mobile team had arrived by that time and were in contact with the lifeboat and could confirm that nobody had come ashore and they had seen no dinghy.

The lifeboat then found the dinghy on the other side of the weir, with a gentleman in it. Two members of the crew then walked the casualty from the weir over the lock and administered casualty care.

The Coastguard then made contact with the Scottish Ambulance Service and requested an ambulance, as the man had been in the water and was very cold.

At 8.24pm the crew left the casualty to wait for the ambulance with the Coastguard mobile team while the lifeboat went to recover the stricken vessel from the weir and tow it back to its berth.

Once the lifeboat had towed the cruiser off the weir, it went into an alongside tow and moored it, with the assistance of the Coastguard mobile team at the pontoon.

The Coastguard then relayed a message from the Deputy Launching Authority at the lifeboat station that the weather had worsened on Loch Ness and to be aware of stronger winds on their return to the station.

At 9.08pm the ambulance took the gentleman to the hospital.

The lifeboat crew was stood down with thanks by the Coastguard and returned to the station at 9.17pm. At 9.53 pm, the lifeboat returned to Urquhart Bay, where the shore crew was on hand to make tea, refuel the boat, and make sure it was ready for service.

Helm Kieron said: 'It was another great example of collaboration between the agencies: the Coastguard, their mobile team, Police Scotland, and Scottish Ambulance Services.'

It was also a first for two of the llfeboat crew; it was John's first shout as substantive and Rachel's very first shout.

Rachel said: 'It was a really interesting learning experience. I felt very safe and supported.'
Thank you to all involved, and hearty congratulations to Rachel and John.

The crew on the night:
Helm: Kieron
David M., John, and Rachel

Shore Crew:
Linda, Toby, Anne, Barry, and David T

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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