Lifeboats News Release
Loch Ness RNLI launches to stricken yacht
Date: 12/04/2009
Author: Martin Douglas, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat team were called to assist a yacht aground in Urquhart Bay this morning, (Sunday 12 April) at 9.30am.
This was the second time in three days that the skipper of the yacht ‘Rona’ needed the help of the RNLI volunteer team on the loch. After resting and taking stock in Urquhart Harbour for the last two days, the sailor attempted to leave the harbour in his vintage sailing vessel but ran aground approx 50 metres beyond the harbour entrance and within sight of the lifeboat crew who were training with the relief RNLI lifeboat B 718 Rotaract I.
The skipper was towed into open water and given advice about the weather conditions and suitability of the yacht for the planned journey, but the skipper immediately headed out into the loch proper. He is currently in open water but making extremely slow headway.
Neil Hillyard,Volunteer Helm at Loch Ness RNLI says:
‘The yacht is clearly unable to make safe progress in the current conditions and appropriate advice has been given to 'PJ' but he has made the decision to continue towards Fort Augustus. We urge people to plan their journeys on the loch as they would for any open sea areas.’
During yesterdays rescue of the two canoeists, the Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat Mercurius was damaged, needing repairs to be undertaken at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes, Isle of Wight. A replacement boat from the Relief Fleet arrived overnight and was immediately readied for service. The RNLI have a full range of approximately 100 relief boats of all classes available for immediate deployment throughout the UK and ROI. None of the Loch Ness crew were injured in yesterdays rescue but conditions on the loch continue to be extremely challenging.
Weather conditions on Loch Ness can change rapidly and be as bad as open sea areas. The RNLI have an extensive sea and beach safety section on their website offering preventative advice:
www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety/sea_and_beach_safety
Notes to editors
· www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/scotland/stations/LochNess
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Martin Douglas, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07788 414 254 or Rachel Martin, Media Relations Manager Scotland on 07786 668903 or ramartin@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
RNLI Public Relations: 01202 336789 or pressoffice@rnli.org.uk.
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI: The RNLI is the charity that 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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 150 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 139,000 lives.
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A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.
