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Islay RNLI in search for missing yacht

Lifeboats News Release

On Saturday 30 March at 8.35pm Islay RNLI were tasked by Coastguard UK to launch to a small yacht with one person on board, missing between the islands of Islay and Colonsay.

RNLI/Islay RNLI

Islay RNLI lifeboat at night
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Following an emergency call to the Coastguard that a yacht had been seen south of Colonsay and had then ‘disappeared’, eight volunteer crew quickly assembled and launched Islay’s Severn Class all-weather lifeboat The Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II.

The crew made good speed up the Sound of Islay in clear conditions and with fresh south westerly winds. A search of the last known position around Colonsay’s coast found no vessel in distress. A thorough search continued around the area between south Colonsay and Islay’s northern shores. After no further findings Islay's lifeboat crew were stood down and returned to Port Askaig.

Returning to port at 1.30am the lifeboat was moored and made ready again for service.

At 12.17pm the following day, Sunday 31 March Islay RNLI were tasked to assemble for a yacht aground on the inner shores of Islay in Loch Indaal. The local coastguard teams were in attendance and the lifeboat were stood down just before launching.

Now the clocks have changed, and the evenings get longer and brighter, more people are expected to get out on the water. After checking your vessel is sea-worthy and ready for the season, knowing some simple water safety advice can help prevent an accident or tragedy.

If sailing or motorboating:
  • Always wear an appropriate lifejacket
  • Always carry a means of calling and signalling for help
  • When engaging on any type of boating activity; Ensure there is an emergency action plan in place, and everybody has an onboard briefing
  • Get the right level of training for your craft
  • Always check the weather and tide times
  • Make sure someone on the shore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time.
  • Always operate your boat at a speed that is appropriate to the weather conditions and to the environment you are operating in.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use marine VHF radio Ch 16 or dial 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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

About the author

Kate Hannett
Lifeboat Press Officer, Islay Lifeboat Station

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