Two call outs in two days for Loch Ness RNLI

Four volunteer crew members launched the Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat at 5.57pm and made their way towards Johnny’s Point near Fort Augustus where two canoeists had been reported entering the water.

Loch Ness Helm Kieron Tarling, said: ‘As we made our way down the loch, we were informed by HM Coastguard that a workboat in the area had extracted two casualties and their canoe from the water. The canoe had capsized and the two casualties had been unable to recover which meant they had been in the water for some time. Two other canoeists had stayed alongside the casualties in their canoe whilst another four canoeists had made it safely to shore but a thunder and lightning storm had started as the lifeboat launched so it was important that we reached the group as quickly as possible.'

On reaching the workboat, the crew steered the lifeboat alongside and one was transferred onboard to monitor the casualties and provide casualty care.

'The two casualties were suffering from the effects of hypothermia so we made the decision to allow the casualties to stay onboard the workboat which was warm and sheltered as it made its way to Fort Augustus as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the other canoeists had safely made their way to shore in their canoes ensuring they were still warm and dry. On reaching the group, we collected debris from the water which had fallen out of the capsized canoes and moved the lifeboat as close to the shore as possible which allowed the canoeists to make their way onboard. We also secured their canoes on the shore to be collected from the roadside at a later date.'

The lifeboat made its way to Fort Augustus to reunite the group and complete a handover with the HM Coastguard shore crew who had assessed the casualties from the workboat.

'Paramedics confirmed we had made the right decision allowing them to stay warm and sheltered as one of the casualty’s temperatures had dropped to 36.1 degrees. The casualties were discharged back to the group who planned to monitor their condition overnight in warm, comfortable accommodation.’

The volunteer crew was also called out the previous day (Wednesday 13 August) to assist seven people on a 40ft motor cruiser with engine problems that was reported to be taking on water.

Kieron continued: ‘We were tasked by HM Coastguard to assist a large rental cruiser at Dochgarroch and made the quick trip in the lifeboat in sunny, calm conditions. On arrival, we found the cruiser alongside a large vessel which was holding the cruiser clear of other traffic. A member of our crew moved aboard the cruiser to assess the situation and confirmed that use of our salvage pump wasn’t required as water ingress had stopped when the engines stopped running and the cruiser’s bilge pump was effectively removing excess water.

‘The other vessel moved the cruiser to clearer, wider water and we made the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties. We established an alongside tow to pull the cruiser back to the pontoons where the cruiser was safely moored and the HM Coastguard shore crew were waiting to meet the casualties.

‘This was a busy week for the crew at Loch Ness RNLI but we were glad to have had positive outcomes for both call outs. The casualties did the right thing by having a means of calling for help which ensured we could be tasked to assist by HM Coastguard. In the end, all of our training paid off and our thanks must go to the crews of the other vessels on the loch who assisted the casualties before we arrived on scene.’

Ends

Notes to editors

· Loch Ness lifeboat station was established in 2008

· Situated on the northern shore of the iconic Loch Ness, lifeboat station volunteers operate in a unique, inland environment

· To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/loch-ness-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Lynsey Macready-Morgan, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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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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