Mallaig Lifeboat
Log for 2007

Information for these pages is sourced from WestWord, local newspaper for West Lochaber

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Saturday 13th January:
Mallaig Lifeboat launched at 14.38 hrs to go to the aid of an injured hill walker at Camusrory, Loch Nevis. On arrival at the scene, Paramedic Dennis Eddie administered first aid to the casualty who was suffering from a shoulder injury. Casualty taken to Mallaig and onward transportation to the Belford Hospital, Fort William, by Ambulance.
Lifeboat refuelled ready for service at 16.30 hrs.

Sunday 21st January:
Mallaig Lifeboat launched at 06.52 hrs when alerted by Stornoway Coastguard that the fishing vessel Our Heritage was taking on water one mile SE of Soay.
A pump was put on board the trawler as the Lifeboat crew assisted with pumping out the vessel and they then towed the boat to the safety of Mallaig Harbour, arriving at 10.36 hrs.

Friday 16th February:
Mallaig Lifeboat launched at 15.47 to go to the assistance of a 7 year old boy who had fallen and was suffering from a head injury. On arrival at Inverie, casualty was taken on board then conveyed to Mallaig where an ambulance was waiting to convey the child to the Belford Hospital, Fort William.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 17.45 hours.

Friday 23rd February:
This was another medivac operation to Inverie, with the Mallaig Lifeboat, Henry Alston Hewat, launching at 15.21 hrs to go to the assistance of a 2 year old girl who had become ill. On arrival at Inverie Pier (15.41) the little girl was taken on board the Lifeboat and conveyed to the ambulance waiting at Mallaig Pier.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 16.56 hrs.

Monday 26th February:
Mallaig Lifeboat was launched at 14.23 hrs at the request of the Stornoway Coastguard to go to the assistance of an Eigg fisherman who had suffered a hand injury on board his creel boat Kestrel OB286. Due to the extent of the skipper's injury, it was ultimately decided to scramble the Rescue Helicopter and it was this Helicopter which conveyed the casualty to hospital in Glasgow.
Mallaig Lifeboat returned to base, arriving at Mallaig at 16.30 hrs.

Monday 11th March:
At the request of Stomoway Coastguard, the Mallaig Lifeboat was launched at 16.26 to go to the aid of an adult male suffering from a suspected broken ankle. A bothy on the Ardnish Peninsula at the mouth of Loch Ailort was given as his location and with this in mind five members of the Mallaig Coastguard team accompanied the Lifeboat crew in case the casualty needed to be stretchered aboard. On arrival at Ardnish, the Y boat was launched but to everyone's surprise a male walked from the bothy to the beach and presented himself as the 'casualty'. He was taken on board the Lifeboat and conveyed to Mallaig. Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 1830 hrs.

Saturday 14th April:
The Mallaig Lifeboat was out on exercise when Stornoway Coastguard requested it to proceed to Maxwell Bank (S.E. Eigg) following the report by a fishing boat of a semi-submerged dinghy adrift in the sea. The Lifeboat arrived on scene at 1645 hrs to find the sailing dinghy, which had no stern section, had drifted from the shore. The crew manhandled the dinghy on board the Lifeboat and journeyed back to Mallaig, arriving at 17.50 hrs.

Wednesday 9 May:
Mallaig Lifeboat launched at 06.55 to go to the aid of the trawler Sonas aground just outside Mallaig Harbour. Arriving quickly on the scene the Lifeboat towed the Oban registered fishing boat off the rocks and then returned to port at 07.45.

Thursday 17th May:
There was an immediate launch by the Mallaig Lifeboat at 18.07 responding to a Mayday call from the Intrepid, an 8 metre diesel engined craft with two men on board. The boat - used for winkle picking - had suffered engine failure and was drifting towards the Doune shore of Knoydart in a strengthening wind. Arriving on scene at 18.24, the Lifeboat took the vessel in tow back to Mallaig Harbour, arriving there at 20.15.

Monday 21st May:
H M Coastguard requested the launch of the Mallaig Lifeboat to go to the aid of an injured hillwalker suffering from a suspected broken ankle. Launched at 14.59 into a fresh breeze, the Lifeboat arrived at the casualty at Airor - a remote location only accessible by sea - and transported her from the shore onto the Lifeboat. Arriving back at Mallaig Harbour at 16.22, the casualty was transferred to an awaiting ambulance and taken to the Belford Hospital in Fort William for treatment.

Tuesday 22nd May:
Stornoway Coastguard requested launch at 08.34 to go to the assistance of a 30 metre yacht dragging its anchor in Loch Moidart and going ashore near Riska Island. Lifeboat proceeded to area - on scene at 09.25. The yacht Jay with 5 persons on board was refloated on a flood tide and with everyone safe and vessel damage assessed as minimal, the Lifeboat returned to Station, refuelled and ready for service at 11.35am.

Tuesday 22nd May:
The second call out of the day occurred when the Mallaig Lifeboat was launched at 18.20 to aid the BA registered fishing boat Ocean Maid which had suffered engine failure on the west side of Muck and was drifting onto the shore in a fresh SW wind. Lifeboat proceeded through Rum Sound, reaching the stricken trawler at 19.20. Lifeboat secured a tow rope to the trawler and towed the Ocean Maid back to the safety of Mallaig Harbour at 22.35hrs.

Sunday 27th May:
The Henry Alston Hewat was on exercise off the Sound of Sleat when a rescue boat - on duty at the Adventure Race World Championships - called to go to the assistance of a 4 man canoe participating in the Championship. Lifeboat proceeded to casualty taking four canoeists on board. As weather conditions were deteriorating Lifeboat took the opportunity to check other canoeists but all was well. The four rescued canoeists were taken to Mallaig, the Lifeboat docking there at 14.30hrs.

Sunday 27th May:
Following a request from Stornoway Coastguard, Mallaig Lifeboat launched to search for a missing canoeist. Three canoeists had earlier left Sanna Bay and two managed to get ashore in near gale force conditions to raise the alarm, stating that the missing canoe was last seen at Fascadale Buoy. The Mallaig Lifeboat was joined by the Tobermory Lifeboat and together they began searching relevant shorelines. Coastguard teams were also deployed to assist shoreline search but casualty was found on the north shore of Ardnamurchan Point by the Royal Navy Helicopter, then airlifted to hospital. Mallaig Lifeboat returned to Station, refuelled and was ready for service by 22.20 hrs.

Sunday 3rd June:
There was a fresh breeze blowing when the Mallaig Lifeboat received an immediate launch call from Stornoway Coastguard at 22.42 hrs as a man had fallen overboard from the yacht Failte which was moored in Mallaig Harbour. Arriving on scene within four minutes lifeboat personnel assisted yacht owner who was in the water clinging to the boarding ladder (and being aided by Mr A Sinclair, Boatyard Manager). He was recovered safely by lifeboat crew and transferred to Ambulance waiting on Mallaig Pier.

Saturday 16th June:
Mallaig Lifeboat launched at 17.20 hrs to go to the assistance of a hillwalker in Inverie who had fallen and was suffering from a suspected broken leg. On arrival at Inverie, immediate first aid was administered to the casualty, who was then taken on board the lifeboat which set off for Mallaig Pier, arriving there at 18.15 hrs. Casualty transferred to waiting ambulance at Pier and taken to Belford Hospital, Fort William.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 18.30 hrs.

Tuesday 26th June:
Pan Pan Medical Emergency received by yacht Solange and two DSC Mayday Distress calls picked up, although faint, by yacht Seraphia and relayed to Stornoway Coastguard. Lifeboat launched at 16.45 hrs and proceeded to Loch Ailort where the yacht Tekoa was located with one person on board. It was soon established that her companion had fallen on the hill at Ardnish so the Y-boat was launched and two crew were sent ashore in an attempt to locate the casualty. This proved difficult so along with another Lifeboatman and local Coastguard the lady was taken ashore to help search for the stricken hillwalker. He was soon located but found not breathing. The casualty was recovered to the Lifeboat then taken on to Mallaig so Coastguard and Rescue Helicopter stood down. One Lifeboat crew and one Coastguard personnel put on board Tekoa and assisted the remaining crew member to sail back to Mallaig.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service 22.30hrs.

Wednesday 11th July:
Although overcast, good visibility prevailed in the light breeze when Stornoway Coastguard requested Lifeboat launch to investigate an EPIRB (Emergency Beacon) signal in the North Channel, Arisaig. Lifeboat launched at 19.36 hrs but nothing found. The Lifeboat moved between boats moored in Arisaig Bay but again drew a blank.
The next satellite hit suggested the EPIRB was 1 mile east of Sleat Point but again nothing was seen or heard. The Lifeboat proceeded back to Mallaig Harbour picking up the EPIRB signal (which was at its strongest) in the middle of the harbour. Using a small radio receiver on the emergency frequency, the EPIRB was traced to a room in the Fishermen's Mission - it had accidentally been set off but was de-activated by Lifeboat crew.
The Lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service at 23.16 hrs.

Friday 27th July:
Mallaig Lifeboat called out at 14.32 hrs to go to the assistance of the 10 metre yacht Silver Lining, which had suffered engine problems in choppy seas off the Isle of Eigg. On arriving at scene the Lifeboat found the yacht sailing at 7 knots towards Arisaig. Outside the channel Lifeboat took Silver Lining in tow, delivering her safely to moorings in Arisaig Bay. Two crew members on board the yacht remained there to await assistance from Arisaig Marine.
Lifeboat returned to station, was refuelled and ready for service at 17.43 hrs.

Saturday 4 August:
Winds were near gale force when Stornoway Coastguard requested launch of Mallaig Lifeboat at 01.00 to go to the aid of a yacht dragging anchor in Loch Scavaig and unable to start engine due to flat batteries.
On arrival at casualty (02.10), Lifeboat passed a tow rope to the 10m yacht Sleat Queen and in gale force winds towed her offshore and alongside the Lifeboat. Three of the yacht's crew were then taken aboard the Lifeboat and crewman M I Currie put aboard the casualty with yacht skipper. Yacht was subsequently towed out of Loch Scavaig and on to safe mooring at Armadale. Yacht crew re-joined the vessel and Lifeboat returned to Mallaig where it was refuelled and ready for service at 0700 hrs.

Saturday 4th August:
Mallaig Lifeboat launched at 2100 hrs at the request of HM Coastguard to go to the assistance of a small craft apparently out of control between Knoydart and Mallaig. Arriving on the scene within ten minutes, the crew observed the small (5m) power boat behaving very erratically with the sole occupant apparently unable to control the vessel, indeed it was by luck rather than skill that he did not run into the Lifeboat or the FV Caralisa which was in the same area.
Lying off to avoid any risk of collision, the Lifeboat crew observed the man in charge of the small craft being bounced about like a rag doll. On one occasion he landed on the deck flooring, eventually getting up to steer the vessel (during this time the vessel was totally out of control). The vessel then headed straight for the shore but luckily the engine stopped before it hit. The Lifeboat then moved in offering a tow rope but this was vehemently opposed and the boat owner restarted his engine and made off to the safety of Mallaig Harbour. He got ashore and ran away up the pier. A description of the 'casualty' was given to the local police.
To ensure the power boat's safety Lifeboat crew, assisted by the local Coastguard, pulled it up onto Lovat Beach. Lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service at 22.50hrs.

Monday 20th August:
Good visibility with a fresh breeze and moderate to choppy sea state, were the conditions prevailing when Mallaig Lifeboat was launched at 20.59 hrs to investigate a hill fire on Eigg. Lifeboat picked up two members of the Eigg Coastguard team from Eigg harbour, then proceeded to the NE corner of the Island, but nothing could be seen. Area searched, nothing found. Coastguard personnel dropped off back at the island pier and Lifeboat returned to Mallaig Station at 23.25hrs.

Tuesday 21st August:
While on machinery trials after an injector change on the starboard engine, Lifeboat crew noticed that the boat Anthea was assisting in the rescue of a man on a half submerged jet ski. Lifeboat proceeded to help, ensuring that the Anthea remained on scene until the Lifeboat returned minutes later with a full crew. The casualty - a male whelk picker - was returned to Mallaig pier by the Anthea and the Lifeboat recovered the jetski which was subsequently placed on its trailer on Lovat Beach. Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 18.50 hrs.

Tuesday 4th September:
A calm seastate with good visibility were the prevailing weather conditions when the Mallaig Lifeboat received a request from the Stornoway Coastguard to go to the assistance of a male sailor observed sitting on an upturned dinghy off the Roshven coast.
When Lifeboat arrived on scene at 14.16hrs, they found that the 'casualty' had managed to swim ashore. Y-boat deployed and with the help of Coastguard personnel, dinghy was recovered and taken to the shore.
Lifeboat left scene at 15.05 hrs returning to its Mallaig base.

Tuesday 13th September:
Lifeboat launched at 02.21hrs at the request of Stornoway Coastguard to convey the Mallaig Coastguard team to Sandaig to search for missing elderly female hillwalker. Arriving on scene at 02.49hrs, Mallaig Coastguard personnel were conveyed to shore via the Lifeboat's Y-boat which, along with the Lifeboat, commenced a shore search of the area. Nothing found!
At 06.30hrs Mallaig Coastguard team was picked up from the shore but before heading home the Lifeboat met up with the one from Kyle, briefed them on the search areas conducted, with the Kyle Lifeboat taking over the search. Mallaig Lifeboat returned to base where it was refuelled and made ready for service at 08.00hrs.
This 'emergency' had a happy ending with the 73 year old hillwalker (and her dog) eventually being found safe and well!

Wednesday 19th September:
Visibility was good with a fresh breeze blowing when Mallaig Lifeboat was launched at 17.44hrs to go to the assistance of the two man crew of the small leisure boat Lady Linda, which had broken down close to Morar Estuary. Arriving at the scene at 17.54hrs, Mallaig Lifeboat towed the stricken craft to the safety of Mallaig Harbour.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 19.45hrs.

Monday 1st October:
Light winds and poor visibility were the conditions when Mallaig Lifeboat, responding to a request from Stornoway Coastguard, set off at 02.10 hrs, transporting ambulance personnel to Knoydart to tend injured male who had fallen in his bedroom, injured his head and been knocked unconscious, On arrival at Knoydart paramedic and crew member attended to the casualty and after initial treatment transferred him from the B & B establishment onto the Lifeboat. The Lifeboat then proceeded to Mallaig Pier where an ambulance was waiting to take the injured male to the Belford Hospital for further treatment.
Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 04.00hrs.

Monday 8th October:
Mallaig Lifeboat launched at 10.42hrs when asked by HM Coastguard on Stornoway to go to the assistance of 8.5 metre yacht Breakaway, becalmed outside Mallaig Harbour with engine problems.
Lifeboat proceeded to scene and on arrival secured tow ropes to the yacht then towed vessel (2 men on board) into the safety of Mallaig Harbour at 11.35 hrs.

Sunday 9th December:
This early morning call out (01.55 hrs) was initiated by HM Coastguard who requested the Mallaig Lifeboat's assistance to take an injured person from Knoydart to Mallaig. The Lifeboat proceeded to Inverie and on arrival there (02.10) a crew member and ambulance personnel were deployed with a stretcher to recover the injured person and convey him back to the Lifeboat. However, a short time later the casualty, suffering from leg burns, arrived at the Lifeboat via Landrover, was taken on board, conveyed to Mallaig and the waiting ambulance. Lifeboat refuelled and ready for service at 03.20hrs.

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