Two successful missions for Arran Lifeboat

Man rescued from the water …

In the early afternoon of Thursday 14th February, one of the crew from the timber barge was reported to have been thrown overboard from his dinghy in Brodick Bay when hit by a gust of strong wind. The man had been going on board the barge to check the tow lines in his rubber dinghy when a sudden gust of wind capsized it and threw him overboard. The Arran lifeboat responded to the call, and found the crewman sitting on top of his upturned dinghy. He was quickly taken on board the lifeboat and his dinghy recovered, and both were returned safely ashore. The lifeboat was back in the Lamlash station in less than an hour. Crawford Duncan, who was helming the lifeboat, with old hand Martin Ferris and new crew member Brian Donlan, said afterwards, ‘It was all in a days work and we were glad to be of service.’

… and stranded cruiser retrieved

Four days later, on February 18th, the lifeboat was again called out, this time to a much larger vessel. The 6.6 metre cabin cruiser Skyemore was drifting with no power, south of Holy Isle, with 4 persons on board. Troon Lifeboat, which was exercising at sea, was also tasked to attend. It was found that the cruiser had lost all power while motoring to Troon, probably because of flat batteries. After discussion it was agreed that Arran lifeboat would tow the vessel to Lamlash where repairs could be carried out. This was done, and Skyemore was put on a visitor mooring at Lamlash. Her grateful crew of four were brought ashore and overnight accommodation was found for them. Arran Lifeboat was made ready for service again by 9.30pm.

Lifeboat crew helps to save sinking boat

by John Kinsman

Tobermory’s lifeboat crew went to the aid of a fishing boat, the Accord on February 11th but did not need to launch the lifeboat. In the Sound of Mull the Accord was found to have a hairline crack in the hull that was letting in water, but with the aid of the onboard pump, the skipper had brought her back to Tobermory Harbour. However, though the fishing vessel’s pump could prevent the level of incoming water from rising, it lacked sufficient power to reduce it. The RNLI crew, though staying on dry land, took their own salvage pump to the scene, and together with a local coastguard rescue team, ensured that the fishing boat could stay afloat and empty of water until the tide went out the skipper could effect repairs.

Picture by RNLI, shows the Accord tied up alongside the Fishermen’s Pier in Tobermory.