Latest news with #PortreeRNLI
STV News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- STV News
Sailing dinghy rescued by lifeboat after capsizing multiple times in bad weather
A sailing dinghy had to be rescued by lifeboat volunteers after getting into difficulty in Raasay. The Portree RNLI crew were called to help the vessel that was struggling in poor weather conditions in the Loch Arnish area on Thursday. The dinghy had sent out a distress call, giving HM Coastguard its identity and location. After lifeboat crews arrived on the scene, they spotted a sailing dinghy at the south end of Fladday Island. The small vessel was said to be going round in circles and had a single occupant on board. It was found to have capsized multiple times with the sailor struggling to right the vessel due to the weather conditions. The sailor was taken onboard the lifeboat while the dinghy was towed to a nearby mooring. The rescue was the second in just a few days for the team after they were called out to help a yacht west of the island of Rona. The alarm was raised around 3.25pm on Monday after the vessel had lost steering. After ensuring the safety of those onboard, the yacht was towed to the nearest safe port of Portree. This is the second shout to the island of Rona for the Portree RNLI lifeboat this year. In February, the volunteers were tasked with assisting a casualty who had fallen and injured themselves on the island. Stuart Nicolson, Portree RNLI lifeboat Coxswain, said: 'Once we had established that the sailor onboard the dinghy was safe and well, I then made the decision to tow the vessel to the mooring after being requested to assess the situation by HM Coastguard. 'The sailor was very well equipped, including having the right means to call for help, which is vital when you are on the water. 'The weather conditions were challenging today, and I would like to thank the crew once again for their swift response to the pagers for the second time this week. Our volunteer crew members are always on call and ready to respond to calls for help.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
08-07-2025
- General
- STV News
Lifeboat crews rescue yacht which 'lost steering' in strong winds
Lifeboat crews were called to rescue a yacht which lost steering in challenging conditions off the coast of Rona. Volunteers from RNLI Portree were requested to launch by HM Coastguard to a position west of the island off the Trotternish peninsula on Skye and north of the island of Raasay. Crews used Trent class lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker after pagers sounded at 3.25pm on Monday, launching ten minutes after the call. The yacht had reportedly lost steering with a strong north-west breeze blowing amid swell conditions. Crews arrived on scene in 20 minutes and ensured those onboard the casualty vessel were safe and well. The yacht was towed to the port of Portree and crews were stood down by the Coastguard. Portree RNLI say it's the second call-out to the island of Rona this year after volunteers assisted a casualty who had fallen and injured themselves in February. Stuart Nicolson, Portree RNLI lifeboat coxswain, said: 'Our initial priority was to ensure those onboard the casualty vessel were safe and well. 'Once this had been established, we assessed the situation to decide the best course of action. 'With the strong winds and swell conditions, and the yacht liable to drift onto the coast of Rona, the decision was made to undertake a tow into the nearest safe port of Portree. 'On arrival into Portree, the yacht was secured to a mooring, and the lifeboat was then stood down from the shout by HM Coastguard. 'I'd like to thank the volunteer crew of Portree RNLI for their swift response, particularly given the challenging weather conditions. 'The fact that we were on scene in just 30 minutes of the pagers sounding means that we were able to assist with a successful outcome for the casualty vessel, particularly given its close position to the coast of Rona.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
29-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Vessel rescued after becoming entangled in fish farm ropes
A fishing vessel was rescued near Skye on Wednesday after it became entangled in ropes at a fish farm. The Portree RNLI lifeboat was dispatched to the scene near Rigg after they were alerted to a trapped fishing vessel at 10.18am. A second lifeboat, the Trent class Stanley Watson Barker, launched 15 minutes later for the Trotternish peninsula in the North East of the island. The vessel was freed and safely towed. RNLI Portree Volunteers were called out twice in three days. RNLI Portree Hamish Corrigall, Portree RNLI lifeboat Coxswain, said: 'When we arrived on scene, our priority was to ensure that the vessel and those onboard were safe and well. 'Once this had been established, we were then able to assist with freeing the fishing vessel. We assessed the situation before making the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties. 'We carry out regular training exercises for all types of emergency scenario, including vessel entanglement and fouled props, so the crew worked well together to ensure the vessel could be towed to safety.' Three days earlier, on May 25, volunteers from Portree RNLI were called to assist a casualty with a head injury on a yacht in Portree Bay. The crew provided emergency casualty care before transferring the casualty to the Portree pontoon and into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
