Loch Ness RNLI rescue large vessel that had lost power
A LOCH Ness rescue service was tasked to respond to a large sailing vessel and small motor cruiser that had lost power, earlier this month.
On June 5, four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat at 10:31am for the first shout of the day and made their way towards a small motor cruiser which had lost manoeuvrability at Lochend.
Craig Turner, volunteer helm at Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station said: “The lifeboat launched to assess the situation of a small hire cruiser which had lost steering ability. We made the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties. We established a tow to pull the cruiser back to Dochgarroch where we were met by HM Coastguard and the cruiser was safely moored.”
The lifeboat returned to station and then launched again at 2:23pm to assist a large sailing vessel.
Kieron Tarling, volunteer helm for the second shout of the day, said: “For our second shout, we were tasked to assess the situation of a 33ft sailing vessel which had been sailing from Lochend towards Drumnadrochit and suffered engine failure. The vessel had sailed back towards Dochgarroch but the crew had been unable to fix the engines and were concerned about docking safely so made the right decision to anchor the vessel in Loch Dochfour. Again, we decided that establishing an alongside tow would be the safest way to assist the vessel and the boat was returned to the pontoons at Dochgarroch for mooring where we were again met by HM Coastguard.
“Fortunately, there was no damage to either of the boats and everyone on-board was safe and well. Mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of rescue call outs to sailing and motorboats, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of all RNLI lifeboat launches, but both vessel crews did the right thing by wearing life jackets and carrying a means of communication to call for help. We’re pleased to have had positive outcomes for both shouts of the day.”
