RIB crew ‘did correct thing’ to fire flares

27/06/2019

The crew of a RIB that had run aground in Scotland ‘did the correct thing’ to fire flares, says the RNLI.

The seven-metre Rigid Inflatable Boat ran aground on Wester Rocks, off Torridon, in the North West Highlands, as the tide rapidly fell.
The crew of six set off flares to summon help and they were seen by a fishing boat, who alerted the coastguard.
Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat Spirit of Fred Olsen and a Portree RNLI lifeboat was launched to help.
A Kyle RNLI spokesperson says, “The crew of the casualty vessel were very well equipped, and did the correct thing.
“After running aground and with patchy VHF radio coverage, they had tried attracting attention by using visual signals and an air horn. When this proved unsuccessful, they set off flares to attract the attention of the passing vessel.”
Kyle lifeboat quickly put a crew member onboard the RIB to assess the situation and ensure that no-one was injured.
The Kyle crew transferred the RIB crew onto the lifeboat. A short time later, Portree lifeboat arrived and the RIB crew was transferred onto the larger lifeboat.
As the RIB was stuck fast on the rocks, and with no way to confirm that the boat was watertight, it was decided to wait until the tide turned and the boat was later refloated.
The picture is courtesy of RNLI/Andrew MacDonald and shows Kyle lifeboat with the grounded RIB.