Tobermory lifeboat called-out three times in 48 hours

Tobermory RNLI’s volunteer crew had a busy end to the month, with three call-outs in the space of 48 hours last week amid intensive training exercises.

 

The Tobermory lifeboat on Wednesday May 24 to come to the aid of an unwell crew member on a fishing vessel near Ardnamurchan Lighthouse.

 

Last Thursday, the lifeboat set out again to assist a yacht that had suffered a fouled propellor off Ardnamurchan Point, with five passengers aboard.

 

The lifeboat crew managed to free the yacht from the obstacle, which was most likely a fleet of creels, and towed the yacht to the pontoons in Tobermory.

 

This was followed by another call-out last Friday, while the crew were carrying out an exercise as they responded to a reported engine room ferry on a small ferry at Lochaline.

 

The crew were stood down while en route to the scene, but this busy period coincided with a week of intensive training, which involved five exercises.

 

These were planned to focus on trainee coxswains’ boat handling skills, while familiarising them and other crew members with working with a wide range of vessels.

 

Vessels used in the exercises included the 210 metre cruise ship MV Seabourn Ovation, the PS Waverley, the Silurian, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin’s research sailing vessel, and Briggs Marine’s Forth Warrior.

 

The trainee coxswains also practised coming alongside the CalMac ferry, MV Loch Tarbert, while she was travelling between Kilchoan and Tobermory.

 

This to simulate the transfer of people and equipment between the two vessels that would take place during an emergency.

 

Tobermory RNLI Station coxswain, David McHaffie said: "We would like to thank the masters, captains, skippers, crews and organisations whose vessels we have trained with this week.

 

"We would also like to thank the Tobermory Harbour Association for allowing us to practise close quarters manoeuvring at the pontoons. Finally thank you to the local community for putting up with lots of engine and bow thruster noise over the past week."

 

Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat operations manager, Dr Sam Jones added: "I was impressed with both the commitment and enthusiasm of all of our volunteers who also gave up a large amount of time this week to train."