RNLI Kessock lifeboat crew praised for dedication after responding to three shouts in a day
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THE crew of a Highland lifeboat won praise for their dedication after responding to three separate shouts yesterday.
The grounding of two yachts also prompted a warning to mariners over a "particularly silted" spot in the area.
The RNLI crew at North Kessock first responded to a successfully concluded shout following a call at 5.42am as part of a multi-agency search in the Beauly Firth which also included partners from Police Scotland and the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 151.
A spokesperson said the crew had been paged by UK Coastguard and the service was successfully concluded and the lifeboat and crew returned to the RNLI station under the Kessock Bridge at Craigton.
Later in the afternoon, at 2.05pm, the volunteer crew was again requested to launch by the Coastguard to assess the situation reported by a yacht which had run aground close to the entrance to Inverness Marina.
"Upon arrival at the location at Carnac Point it was apparent that the yacht had suffered a fouled propeller and required assistance," a spokesman said..
The RNLI lifeboat helm Doug Grant assessed the situation and made the decision that the safest way to assist was to undertake an alongside tow and return the vessel to the nearest safe and suitable port, Inverness Marina.
Following the safe escort into the marina, the RNLI lifeboat was requested for the third time to assist another yacht which had run aground in the vicinity and close to the locally known Longman Beacon.
Doug Grant, senior helm on all three shouts for the Kessock Atlantic 85 boat the Robert and Isobel Mowat, said: ‘Today’s triple shout once again highlights that the dedicated training plan that our volunteer crew follows prepares us for any eventuality in our coastal waters.
“Today I would like to personally praise and highlight the efforts of our shore crew, whose dedication and energy make such a difference to the attending crew on the boat, particularly on multiple shouts like today. The RNLI is proud to promote the 'One Crew' message and for us as Kessock it is very visible and means everyone’s contribution is recognised as the lifesaving effort it is."
He added: “On a further local safety note for mariners, the area around the Longman Beacon is particularly silted at present and extra caution is advised upon approach to the navigational markers indicating Inverness Marina."
The charity lifeboat returned to the boat house to be washed down and refuelled and made available for service from 4.15pm.
