RNLI Tighnabruaich called out as 34ft vessel drifts due to steering failure
Volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard on Saturday afternoon to assist a lone crewman when their vessel had lost all steering capability and was drifting into difficulty. The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene to find the casualty vessel stranded on Tra na h-uil reef to the west of Inchmarnock.
Helm Garry Coyle explained that “the casualty vessel was well aground and drying due to a falling tide”. With the lifeboat unable to go alongside due to the protruding reef, the crewman was evacuated to the James and Helen Mason using their tender. One of the RNLI crew then returned to the casualty vessel to ensure it was securely anchored and would not drift to cause further danger.
Returning to base, the casualty was decanted to the village jetty and able to arrange for their vessel to be salvaged by a private contractor when the tide allowed. The inshore lifeboat was brought ashore and made ready for next service.
Lifeboat crew reported the crewman seemed well prepared for their journey with a lifejacket and both VHF radio and mobile phone to request help when breakdown unfortunately occurred.
When spending time on or near the water, always carry a means of calling for help. If you get into difficulty, call 999, and ask for the Coastguard.
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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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