Oban lifeboat called-out twice on same evening

The Oban RNLI lifeboat were called-out twice on Friday evening, responding to reports of two kayakers struggling and a yacht with engine failure.

 

Oban's lifeboat was first tasked by HM Coastguard at 6.35pm, following reports to Stornoway Coastguard that two kayakers were struggling in the water after their kayak capsized off Fidden campsite on the Ross of Mull.

 

Despite a 90-minute transit time to the casualties, Oban’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat was the closest search and rescue asset available, with their rescue helicopters occupied.

 

The volunteer crew of the Mora Edith MacDonald were underway in eight minutes after being paged and started making best speed to the scene.

 

Confirmation was received from HM Coastguard at 7.05pm that the two kayakers had made it safely to shore and were being assisted by the Ross of Mull Coastguard rescue team.

 

At this point Oban RNLI was stood down, returning to the lifeboat station and being prepared for further service at 7:45pm.

 

At 8:26pm the volunteer crew were tasked again by HM Coastguard to assist a yacht suffering engine failure and struggling to make it into Oban harbour in the increasingly freshening easterly wind.

 

The yacht's reported position was 1.5 nautical miles outside the north entrance to Oban Bay, with the Oban lifeboat leaving her berth at 8.47pm.

 

Once clear of the north entrance, it was discovered the yacht had travelled further than the reported position due to the strengthening wind and was approximately five nautical miles south-west of the entrance to Oban Bay.

 

After arriving on the scene, the volunteer crew decided the safest way to assist the yacht was to tow them to the shelter of Oban's North Pier pontoons.

 

Once the tow was set a course was made towards the west side of the Isle of Mull to try and gain some shelter, with the wind gusting at 55 knots (63 mph) and a moderate to rough sea state.

 

Shortly after starting the tow, the casualty vessel reported to the volunteer crew that they were taking on a considerable amount of water.

 

The lifeboat slowed and shortened the tow, preparing their portable salvage pump.

 

After discussion with the crew of the casualty vessel it was determined that their bilge pumps were coping well with the water ingress and the tow to Oban Bay was resumed.

 

Once in the shelter of Oban Bay at 10:40pm the casualty vessel was brought alongside the lifeboat and two of the volunteer crew were transferred to the yacht with the salvage pump to assess the water damage.

 

It was soon established that the water was entering the yacht from a split in the vessel's exhaust system that exited the yacht below the waterline.

 

The lifeboat crew members made a temporary fix to stop the water entering the vessel until the owner was able to carry out repairs on Saturday morning.

 

With everyone safe and well Oban lifeboat returned to station at 11:26pm on Friday.

 

If you see someone in trouble at the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard  .Visit rnli.org/safety for more information.