Quick response saves yacht

John Kinsman

The need for quickly accessible rescue services was underlined last week when the Tobermory all-weather lifeboat rescued a yacht in winds gusting at 55 knots. The 26-foot yacht Blue Stone had been at anchor in Tobermory, but its anchor did not hold in the gales sweeping through the bay. The Blue Stone began drifting at high speed into the Sound of Mull, with its skipper still on board. The Tobermory lifeboat was launched and succeeded in getting a line across to the yacht, then took her in tow. Lifeboat Coxswain Phil Higson said: “These were the worst conditions I have ever seen in Tobermory Bay in 19 years of service with the RNLI. The outcome could have been very different. At one point we feared that the crew might be in danger of being thrown out of the yacht. I’m pleased that we were able to recover both yacht and her skipper”. Rod Collins, skipper of the Blue Stone said, “I am full of admiration for the RNLI and the Tobermory Lifeboat crew, and the speed at which they reached me. There can be no more reassuring sight that seeing a lifeboat approaching. I’m hugely grateful to everyone involved.”

This week the crew of the Mallaig Lifeboat were honoured for their part in the rescue of the cargo vessel Red Duchess in gale force winds off the Isle of Rum in November last year. The RNLI picture, taken from the lifeboat, shows the Red Duchess in tow.