News
Lifeboats News Release featuring B-718
Loch Ness RNLI launches to stricken yacht
Date: 12/04/2009
Author: Martin Douglas, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
The stricken yacht 'Rona' (Credit RNLI/Loch Ness)Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat team were
called to assist a yacht aground in Urquhart Bay this morning, (Sunday 12 April) at
9.30am.
This was the second time in three days that the skipper of the yacht ‘Rona’ needed the
help of the RNLI volunteer team on the loch. After resting and taking stock in Urquhart
Harbour for the last two days, the sailor attempted to leave the harbour in his vintage
sailing vessel but ran aground approx 50 metres beyond the harbour entrance and
within sight of the lifeboat crew who were training with the relief RNLI lifeboat B 718
Rotaract I.
The skipper was towed into open water and given advice about the weather conditions
and suitability of the yacht for the planned journey, but the skipper immediately headed
out into the loch proper. He is currently in open water but making extremely slow
headway.
Neil Hillyard,Volunteer Helm at Loch Ness RNLI says:
‘The yacht is clearly unable to make safe progress in the current conditions and
appropriate advice has been given to 'PJ' but he has made the decision to continue towards Fort Augustus. We urge people to plan their journeys on the loch as
they would for any open sea areas.’
During yesterdays rescue of the two canoeists, the Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat Mercurius was damaged, needing repairs to be undertaken at the Inshore Lifeboat
Centre in Cowes, Isle of Wight. A replacement boat from the Relief Fleet arrived overnight and was immediately readied for service. The RNLI have a full range
of approximately 100 relief boats of all classes available for immediate deployment throughout the UK and ROI. None of the Loch Ness crew were injured in
yesterdays rescue but conditions on the loch continue to be extremely challenging.
Weather conditions on Loch Ness can change rapidly and be as bad as open sea areas. The RNLI have an extensive sea and beach safety section on their
website offering preventative advice:
