Hypothermic sailors plucked to safety off Fortrose
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TWO sailors had a lucky escape today when they were rescued after spending 35 minutes in the freezing Moray Firth.
The two men had been in a small wooden sailing dingy when it began taking on water and capsized, throwing them into the water.
The drama unfolded between Fortrose and Avoch, over an area known locally as Skate Bank.
Kessock lifeboat volunteers launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Robert and Isobel Mowat, at 12.30pm and made best speed to the scene, arriving seven minutes later.
The waves at the time were about 1.5 metres, while the wind was a north westerly force four, or 20mph.
UK Coastguard rescue helicopter 951 and the Inverness Coastguard team were also tasked to make their way to the scene.
Arriving on scene the lifeboat crew found the two casualties, who were both wearing lifejackets, had managed to get back into the dingy but it was swamped with water.
Within minutes, both were quickly recovered to the lifeboat and their conditions assessed.
They were found to be suffering the effects of hypothermia following their immersion in the water.
Reports suggested they may have been in the water for around 35 minutes before the alarm was raised.
Volunteer helmsman Stan MacRae said: "The dingy started taking on water because of the conditions.
"The two men found they couldn’t bail it out fast enough, which led to the capsize.
"When we assessed their condition it was obvious they needed further medical attention and the best thing to do was to get them winched into the helicopter and away to hospital as fast as possible."
By 12.56pm both sailors were on board the Coastguard helicopter and en route to Raigmore Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the lifeboat crew returned to the scene of the capsize to recover the sailing dingy.
They managed to pump it out and then take it under tow back to Fortrose Sailing Club where they were given assistance by members of the sailing club and Inverness Coastguard team to recover it back onto its trailer, by 1.42pm.
Having got the dingy back ashore to prevent it being a hazard to any other vessels, the lifeboat and crew were stood down from the incident and returned to the lifeboat station in North Kessock.
The RNLI recently launched its annual water safety campaign Respect The Water.
This year encouraging people to fight their instincts, not the water and float if they find themselves in the water. By floating, casualties will help prevent the impact of cold water shock which can cause you to gasp uncontrollably and breathe in water, which can quickly lead to drowning.
Around 190 people accidentally die at the British and Irish coasts each year, with around half never intending to go into the water in the first place.
