Loch Ness RNLI launches to assist vessel adrift during Storm Floris
On Monday 4 August, the Loch Ness RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched to locate a sailing vessel which had broken free of its mooring in stormy conditions.
Four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat at 11.02am and made their way towards Cherry Island near Fort Augustus where the casualty vessel was last sighted.
Craig Turner, volunteer Helm at Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: ‘Due to strong winds and large waves, a small sailing boat had broken free of its mooring and was drifting northwards from Fort Augustus. It was unclear if any casualties were aboard so we were tasked by HM Coastguard to locate the vessel.’
The volunteer crew faced extremely challenging conditions as Storm Floris grew stronger with force six wind speeds, large waves and heavy rain.
Craig continued: ‘In all my years volunteering with Loch Ness RNLI, these were the roughest conditions I’ve experienced in the lifeboat. Before we launched, we discussed as a crew if it was safe to do so and decided that the most experienced crew members available at the time should crew the lifeboat for this shout. The storm intensified after launching which meant the lifeboat could only travel at speeds of 8 or 9 knots due to the strong winds, so it took approx. one hour and 30 minutes to locate the vessel which had run aground on the shore a few miles south of Invermoriston.
‘Due to the challenging location of the vessel and the weather conditions, the decision was made for the HM Coastguard shore crew to take over as they could reach the vessel on foot by descending a steep bank from the roadside. At this point, our crew was stood down when we confirmed the shore team would have safer access to check for casualties. Our return journey was much quicker with the wind behind us and on return to the lifeboat station, the owner of the vessel contacted the station after realising the vessel was missing and confirmed that no casualties were aboard. Despite such difficult conditions, our training and more than capable B-class lifeboat ensured the crew and lifeboat made it back to the station with everyone safe and well.’
Notes to editors
· Loch Ness lifeboat station has been operating since 2008. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Loch Ness Lifeboat Station - RNLI Lifeboat Stations
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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 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 146,700 lives.
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