Mallaig
Lifeboat
Log for 2010
Information for these pages is sourced from WestWord, local newspaper for West Lochaber
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Monday 4th January:
Mallaig Lifeboat called out at 18.18 hrs to assist the local
fishing vessel Amethyst. On leaving the fishing grounds south of Eigg, one of the
fishing boat's crew discovered water in the engine room. Unaware of where or why
the water was coming in, assistance was called for.
With a strong northerly wind blowing, Amethyst sought the shelter of the South
Harbour at Eigg, so when the Lifeboat arrived on scene at 1855 hrs it was able to go
alongside the fishing boat and transfer three crew and a water pump with little
difficulty.
Once pumped dry and with no apparent leak found, Amethyst (BA123) continued on
to Mallaig escorted by the Lifeboat.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 22.05hrs.
Tuesday 2nd February:
Lifeboat launched at 13.05 hrs at Stornoway Coastguard's
request following report of an overdue cockle picker in the Loch Moidart area. On
arrival at the scene some 40 minutes later, the Lifeboat had to cautiously pick her way
through the narrow rocky south entrance and channel into the upper reaches of the
loch. Due to the state of the tide, the Lifeboat's operational capabilities were severely
restricted so the Y-boat was deployed to search the shoreline for the missing cockle
picker. In the meantime, the local resident of Eilean Shona came alongside the
Lifeboat and informed the crew that he would inspect some of their holiday cottages
on the south side of the island in case the missing person had taken refuge there.
After doing a sweep of the upper loch, the Y-boat returned to the Lifeboat to be joined
shortly by the local with his RIB to inform that he had found the cockler on a small
beach safe and well.
Knowing that the missing person was OK, the Mallaig Lifeboat headed for home and
was refuelled ready for service at 17.04 hrs.
Friday 5th March:
Mallaig Lifeboat was requested to launch by the Stornoway
Coastguard at 21.36hrs to go to the aid of the 10 metre trawler Osprey which had
broken down one mile south of Loch Bracadale and was drifting towards the shore.
As the Lifeboat proceeded to the casualty the Coastguard was informed by the skipper
of the Osprey that they had managed to restart the engine, were no longer in danger of
going ashore and were proceeding towards Loch Harport.
Lifeboat was subsequently recalled and returned to base, refuelled and ready for
service at 23. 10hrs.
Sunday 28th March:
At the request of the Stornoway Coastguard, the Mallaig
Lifeboat was launched at 12.05 to go to the assistance of the Banff registered fishing
vessel Aquarius which was on passage to Mallaig but which had lost main engine
power and also the auxiliary engine due to water contamination of fuel. Due to the
wind direction, the skipper of the trawler was fearful that his vessel would be blown
onto the lee shore of Eigg before he could bleed the fuel system and get underway
again. Fortunately the skipper managed to restore power to the main engine just as the
Lifeboat arrived in scene (12.29) so Lifeboat escorted the Aquarius into the safety of
Mallaig Harbour.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 14.25hrs.
Mallaig Lifeboat Henry Alston Hewat returned to station on Saturday 10th April after refit.
Relief Lifeboat Fraser Flyer left Mallaig on Saturday 17th April bound for Buckie.
Saturday 1st May:
Lifeboat launched at 20.10 hrs to go to the aid of the 20m
fishing boat Keristum which had suffered steering gear failure just outside Mallaig
Harbour. Arriving on scene within minutes, the Stornoway registered fishing vessel
was quickly secured alongside the Lifeboat and towed into the safety of the Outer
Harbour. Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 20.56.
Saturday 15th May:
Whilst on exercise in the Sound of Sleat, the Mallaig Lifeboat
was tasked by Stornoway Coastguard to go to the assistance of the yacht Madrigil.
The lone sailor had been clearing seaweed from the rudder of the 6 metre sailing
boat when he somehow managed to dislocate his hip.
The Lifeboat was quickly on scene but the fresh breeze prevented getting alongside
so the Y-boat was launched, crewed by Dennis Eddie and Neil MacDonald. Dennis
boarded the yacht and was able to ease the discomfort of the injured sailor enough
for him to steer the yacht into the harbour entrance and in the quieter waters the
Lifeboat came alongside Madrigil and towed her onto the pontoon inside the
harbour.
The local ambulance service took the injured yacht skipper to the Belford Hospital
for treatment and the Lifeboat crew stowed away the yacht's gear.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 13.30.
Thursday 20th May:
Weather was calm at 22.40 hrs when the Lifeboat was
launched to investigate the sighting of multiple flares observed in the locality of Isle
Oronsay, Skye. On clearing the harbour entrance, the crew of the Lifeboat were
informed that persons on a beach at Isle Oronsay had been releasing Chinese lanterns
into the night sky. A local resident mistook the lanterns for distress flares and called
the Coastguard. Lifeboat was stood down and returned to station at 22.52 hrs.
Monday 24th May:
The Henry Alston Hewat was launched at 14.56 hrs at the
request of the Stornoway Coastguard to go to the assistance of the 8-metre yacht My
Annie which had suffered engine failure a couple of miles south-east of the Oberon Bank.
Arriving on scene at 15.23 hrs a tow was quickly established and My Annie was
towed into the more sheltered waters of the mouth of Arisaig Harbour. With the
yacht now strapped alongside, the Lifeboat continued in through the perches to
Arisaig Marine where the yacht was located to a mooring.
Lifeboat then returned to base at Mallaig Harbour, being ready for service at 18.00
hrs.
Friday 28th May:
Mallaig Lifeboat was launched at 15.27 hrs to participate in the
search for a local woman who had been reported missing for a number of hours. The
Lifeboat was tasked to search the shoreline within one mile radius of Mallaig,
concentrating in the Mallaig Vaig area. Search was called off when the woman was
found on shore safe and well.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 17.10 hrs.
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