Tobermory RNLI rescues dive boat

Tobermory's RNLI crew were called-out on Monday September 4 to a stricken diving vessel, which had ran aground at the entrance to Loch Sunart.

 

The volunteer crew were tasked by the UK Coastguard shortly before midday to aid the boat, which had run aground on the rocks of Sligneach Mòr.

 

This incident had occurred 2.7 nautical miles north-east of Tobermory, during a rapidly falling tide.

 

Two fish farm boats working on nearby MOWI sites also responded and provided assistance, alongside a small local fishing boat and a pleasure craft that stood by ready to provide assistance.

 

It was quickly established that due to the rapidly falling tide, the dive boat would not be refloated until Monday evening.

 

This meant it was decided to take all of the non-essential persons off the boat, with the help of one of the MOWI work boats that then transferred 11 divers on to the Tobermory  lifeboat.

 

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As the lifeboat crew helped the divers to get comfortable and gave them drinks, the fish farm boat returned and helped the dive boat crew to set the anchor.

 

The vessel was then secured and the three remaining people aboard were evacuated from the grounded vessel.

 

A plan was made to attend and oversee the refloating of the dive boat a few hours later on a rising tide.

 

The divers and crew were then taken to Tobermory for the afternoon and given use of the RNLI building to relax in.

 

The lifeboat relaunched at 6pm with four people from the dive boat onboard, who were transferred to the grounded vessel by the Y boat (the lifeboat’s daughter craft), before beginning to prepare her for refloating.

 

The two MOWI boats also returned to assist the dive boat in securing lines and positioning themselves to minimise any rolling motion as the vessel started to refloat.

 

Once the boat was refloated and checked over for damage, she was able to make her way back to Tobermory under her own power and under the lifeboat's escort.

 

The lifeboat returned to her berth and was made ready for service by 9pm.

 

Tobermory RNLI coxswain, David McHaffie, said: ‘We would like to extend our gratitude to all the vessels who responded to offer assistance during this service.

 

"The crew of vessels Sarah Ann and Beinn Mowi were exceptionally helpful in attending to the casualty vessel and took time out of their working day and beyond to assist us.’

 

Tobermory lifeboat station is currently recruiting for volunteer crew, with more information about the role available from the lifeboat station or at rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/how-you-can-volunteer/be-a-lifeboat-station-volunteer